Study of Thyroperoxidase Antibodies in Hypothyroid Pregnant Women of Lucknow and its Surrounding Areas

Pregnancy results a series of profound physiologic changes that have a significant effect on maternal thyroid function. Both overt and subclinical maternal thyroid hormone deficiencies are common in pregnancy, and are associated with several adverse outcomes. Worldwide the most common cause of hypothyroidism in pregnant women is iodine deficiency. In the areas that are iodine sufficient the most common causes are autoimmune thyroiditis. This study was done to find out prevalence of TPO antibody in the hypothyroid pregnant women of Lucknow and its surrounding areas. The study was conducted at Era's Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow. 1000 pregnant women, coming for the first visit at Obstetric OPD, were screened for hypothyroidism. TSH was done using ELISA. Women positive for hypothyroidism were further screened for TPO antibody. The total prevalence of hypothyroidism was found to be 34.6%. Prevalence of hypothyroidism among individual trimesters was 38.21%, 34.16% and 30.39% in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively. Although apparent decreasing trend is seen in the prevalences, no significance difference was found. 14.1% of hypothyroid women were positive for TPO antibody and did not show any relation with the trimester and age in which the patient presented. High prevalence of hypothyroidism and TPO antibody positivity is seen among pregnant women of Lucknow and its surrounding areas although no significant association is seen between the two parameters.