TITLE:
Gestational TSH Levels and Their Association with Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Lebanon: A National Observational Retrospective Study
AUTHORS:
Georges Abi Tayeh, Wael Abdallah, Yara AbdelKhalek, Serge Sassine, Hoda Zakaria
KEYWORDS:
Clinical Management, Complications, Hypothyroidism, Pregnancy, TSH
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Objectives: Gestational hypothyroidism is associated with obstetric complications and
disturbances in the offspring development; however, it remains easy to treat.
The objective of the study was to describe thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
levels in pregnant women and analyze their association with pregnancy course
and outcome. Design: This national, observational, retrospective study
analyzed data on Lebanese pregnant women visiting their obstetrician as part of
their routine follow up. Participants, Setting and Methods: Enrolled
subjects were all pregnant women who visited the obstetrics clinic from 01 September
2017 until 31 August 2018, as part of their routine follow up and have a TSH
level record. In 2020, during their routine follow-up visit, the participants
signed an informed consent to allow the investigator to access the data
retrospectively and enter them into his database. Relevant participant characteristics and outcome data were collected from clinic files of the private clinic of Dr Abi Tayeh, at the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, H?tel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. Results: A total of 419 women were enrolled, 11.5% of them reported at
least one comorbidity prior to pregnancy, most often the antiphospholipid
syndrome, followed by thrombophilia and hypothyroidism. At least one
complication was reported for 18.4% of participants. Around 87.6% of
participants delivered a full-term baby with normal birth weight for most. The
average TSH value for all participants was within the normal range at all time-points.
Highest TSH values were recorded during the first trimester. As treatment was
immediately initiated in women with abnormal TSH levels, no correlation was
observed between TSH levels and pregnancy outcomes or pregnancy complications
at any time-point. Conclusions: This study highlights satisfactory
routine practice in the management of thyroid disorders in pregnancy and
underscores the need for routine TSH screening for all pregnant women.