Elevated Maternal TSH Levels Affect Outcomes, Whether Obstetric or Perinatal

Offspring of women with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone had excess risk for prematurity and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Although the adverse effects of untreated maternal hypothyroidism on pregnancy and fetal development are recognized, the influence of even slightly elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on obstetric and perinatal outcomes remains uncertain. To examine the effects of elevated maternal serum TSH, investigators at one Boston medical center conducted a retrospective cohort study of 8413 pregnant women (mean age, 29; 15% white, 60% black, 13% Hispanic) and their infants (mean gestational age at birth, 38.5 weeks; mean birth weight, 3155.5 gm). Per American Thyroid Association guidelines, serum TSH levels >4 mIU/L were considered elevated.

Median TSH was 1.06 mIU/L, with 130 women (1.6%) having levels >4 mIU/L. In adjusted analyses, of…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Elevated Maternal TSH Levels Affect Outcomes, Whether Obstetric or Perinatal

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Reviewing Author