Association of maternal thyroid function with birthweight: a systematic review and individual-participant data meta-analysis
Analysis of 48,145 mother–child pairs noted inverse, dose-response association of maternal TSH and FT4 with birthweight: maternal subclinical hypothyroidism linked to higher risk of small for gestational age and lower birthweight and isolated hypothyroxinaemia linked to converse.
Source:
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
SPS commentary:
The researchers suggest these results advance the understanding of the complex relationships between maternal thyroid function and faetal outcomes, and should prompt careful consideration of potential risks and benefits of levothyroxine therapy during pregnancy.
According to a commentary, this is a well conducted systematic review and meta-analysis on a clinically important and highly prevalent problem. It should prompt clinicians to be cautious with overenthusiastic prescription of levothyroxine to women with subclinical hypothyroidism and to include discussions on the risk of small for gestational age in antenatal counselling.