Introduction: Hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient thyroid hormone production, is a common endocrine disorder affecting pregnant women. The thyroid plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, and its dysfunction during pregnancy can have significant implications for both maternal and fetal health. Previous research has suggested that untreated or poorly managed hypothyroidism during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, preterm birth, gestational hypertension, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in offspring. However, evidence regarding the precise impact of maternal hypothyroidism on pregnancy outcomes remains inconsistent and warrants further investigation. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the association between maternal hypothyroidism and various pregnancy outcomes in a cross-sectional cohort of pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over two years. The study population consisted of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics during the study period. Medical records of eligible participants were retrospectively reviewed to collect data on maternal demographics, gestational age at diagnosis of hypothyroidism, thyroid function tests (including TSH levels), levothyroxine treatment, pregnancy complications (e.g., gestational diabetes, preeclampsia), mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes (e.g., birth weight, Apgar scores). Women with pre-existing thyroid disorders other than hypothyroidism were excluded from the analysis. Results: Preliminary analysis of the data revealed a total of 500 pregnant women included in the study, of whom 100 (20%) were diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. The mean age of the study population was 30 years, with a range of 18 to 40 years. Among women with hypothyroidism, the mean gestational age at diagnosis was 12 weeks, and the mean TSH level at diagnosis was 6.8 mIU/L. Approximately 70% of women with hypothyroidism received levothyroxine treatment during pregnancy. The analysis indicated a significant association between maternal hypothyroidism and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with hypothyroidism were more likely to experience preterm birth (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6-3.8), gestational hypertension (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7), and cesarean section (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.1) compared to those without hypothyroidism. Neonates born to mothers with hypothyroidism had a higher incidence of low birth weight (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.6) and lower Apgar scores at 5 minutes (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study provides evidence of an association between maternal hypothyroidism and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, gestational hypertension, cesarean section, low birth weight, and decreased neonatal Apgar scores. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and optimal management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy to mitigate the risk of complications for both the mother and the fetus. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these associations.

Hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient thyroid hormone production, is a common endocrine disorder affecting pregnant women.