# Impact of thyroid autoantibodies on pregnancy: A prospective cohort study

## TL;DR

This study shows that thyroid autoantibodies in pregnant women are linked to higher risks of complications like high blood pressure and lower birth weight, even if thyroid function is normal.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that thyroid autoantibodies are independently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, even in euthyroid women.

## Key findings

- Thyroid autoantibody-positive women had higher risks of pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and neonatal ICU admission.
- Neonates of antibody-positive mothers had lower birth weight and higher risk of being small-for-gestational age.
- The associations remained significant after adjusting for maternal age, BMI, parity, and TSH levels.

## Abstract

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1,200 pregnant women recruited in early first trimester to evaluate the impact of thyroid
autoantibodies (TPOAb and/or TGAb) on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Overall, 18.2% were antibody-positive. Compared with antibody-negative
women, those with thyroid autoimmunity had significantly higher risks of pregnancy-induced hypertension (12.6% vs 7.9%), gestational diabetes
(15.3% vs 10.2%) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (11.2% vs 6.5%). Adjusted logistic regression confirmed independent associations
after controlling for maternal age, BMI, parity and TSH levels. Neonates born to antibody-positive mothers had lower mean birth weight (2980
± 420 g vs 3125 ± 395 g, p=0.02) and higher risk of small-for-gestational age (8.7% vs 4.9%). Thus, we show that thyroid
autoantibodies, even in euthyroid women, are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and justify closer monitoring during antenatal
care.