©The Author(s) 2018. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Obstet Gynecol. Jul 10, 2018; 7(1): 1-16
Published online Jul 10, 2018. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v7.i1.1
Published online Jul 10, 2018. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v7.i1.1
Hypothyroidism during pregnancy: Controversy over screening and intervention
AbdelHameed Mirghani Dirar, Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, Prince Abdel Aziz Bin Musaad Hospital, Arar 91421, Saudi Arabia
Atul Kalhan, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant CF72 8TA, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Mirghani Dirar A and Kalhan A contributed equally to this work; Mirghani Dirar A and Kalhan A designed the format; Mirghani Dirar A wrote the paper; Kalhan A revised and approved the paper.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article.
Correspondence to: Dr. AbdelHameed Mirghani Dirar, MBBS, MSc, Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, Prince Abdel Aziz Bin Musaad Hospital, King Fahad Road, Arar 91421, Saudi Arabia. adirar@moh.gov.sa
Telephone: +966-5-08494973
Received: February 16, 2018
Peer-review started: February 16, 2018
First decision: April 3, 2018
Revised: April 13, 2018
Accepted: June 2, 2018
Article in press: June 2, 2018
Published online: July 10, 2018
Processing time: 123 Days and 12.7 Hours
Peer-review started: February 16, 2018
First decision: April 3, 2018
Revised: April 13, 2018
Accepted: June 2, 2018
Article in press: June 2, 2018
Published online: July 10, 2018
Processing time: 123 Days and 12.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Hypothyroidism during pregnancy poses a significant health challenge as it is associated with adverse health outcomes for mother as well as the child. There is evidence that supports increased maternal and neonatal morbidity, even in absence of a clinically overt maternal hypothyroid state. However, in view of limited available healthcare resources, the jury is still divided regarding use of universal vs targeted screening programs in pregnant women. In addition, there is a lack of consensus regarding the best management approach for isolated hypothyroxinaemia and subclinical hypothyroidism. Keeping these contentious issues in mind, we have carried out a review of the literature.