Thyroid Hormone Insufficiency May Affect the Fetus

A number of studies established that insufficiency of a thyroid hormone may lead to different complications during pregnancy and delivery. For example, low levels of free thyroxine (FT4) may be responsible for pre-eclampsia, premature birth and even miscarriage. The blood levels of the hormone have been found to influence the motor development in two-year-old children.

A recent study in Clinical Endocrinology points out that mothers having normal or lower levels of thyroxine are likely to have their babies positioned wrongly. An abnormal positioning of the fetus and especially the head may lead to a longer and more difficult labor.

An assistance may be considered indispensable during delivery, requiring the aid of forceps or ventouse or even necessitating a Caesarean section.

Since low levels of free thyroxine can be found in every 10th case, scientists suggest that every routine antenatal check should include a blood test for possible thyroid problems.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/christgr.