| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 19-27 |
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Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in gestational hypertensive Nigerians
Kabiru Abdulslam, Isah Adagiri Yahaya
Department of Chemical Pathology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Kabiru Abdulslam
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2384-5147.151569
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Background: Thyroid physiology changes significantly during pregnancy. Consequently, thyroid disorders are prevalent in women of child-bearing age and commonly present in pregnancy and puerperium. Untreated thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy has adverse effects on fetal and maternal well-being, including miscarriage, placental abruption, preterm delivery and preeclampsia. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among patients with gestational hypertension in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Plasma concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and free tri-iodothyronine (fT 3 ) were measured in 165 pregnant women (aged 18-40 years) with gestational hypertension and 126 age-matched normotensive pregnant women, who served as controls. All laboratory analyses were conducted on Elecsys 2010 immunology analyzer, using a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Results: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 23.6% and 10.3% in women with gestational hypertension and the normotensive pregnant women respectively. The most common thyroid dysfunction among the study participants was subclinical hypothyroidism accounting for 41.0% and 46.2% of all cases of thyroid abnormalities among the gestational hypertensive women and their normotensive counterparts, respectively. Conclusion: In view of the relatively high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction found in this study, it is suggested that all pregnant women (especially those with gestational hypertension) should be routinely screened for thyroid function abnormalities. |
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