Research

A Retrospective Analysis of Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa

V Nicolaou, C Droste, K R L Huddle, C Dickens, C N Menezes, R Shires

Abstract


Background

Thyroid diseases in pregnancy are associated with adverse outcomes for mother and fetus.

No studies have been reported examining the spectrum and nature of such disorders in the Black population of South Africa.

Aims

To examine thyroid disorders in pregnancy at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, by assessing the causes, management and outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of thyroid disorders was undertaken in 88 patients, attending the Antenatal Endocrine Clinic over a four-year period. All underwent initial and follow-up clinical and biochemical assessments.

Maternal delivery records and thyroid function tests of the neonates 48 hours or later following delivery were reviewed.

Results

Fifty-eight (66%) were hyperthyroid, 23(26%) hypothyroid, and 7(8%) had euthyroid colloid goiters. Forty-eight (83%) hyperthyroid patients had Graves’ disease, whilst had gestational hyperthyroidism. Regarding the hypothyroid patients, more than half followed I131 ablation for Graves’ disease. Eighty-seven percent of the hyperthyroid and 83% of the hypothyroid patients were euthyroid prior to delivery. One fatal maternal outcome, due to uterine rupture and six intra-partum fetal losses occurred. Amongst neonates, there was one case of a tracheo-esophageal fistula and one of neonatal thyrotoxicosis.

Conclusion

This is the first report in sub-Saharan Africa detailing thyroid diseases in pregnancy.

Authors' affiliations

V Nicolaou, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology,Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Witwatersrand

C Droste, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology,Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Witwatersrand

K R L Huddle, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology,Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Witwatersrand

C Dickens, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa.

C N Menezes, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa.

R Shires, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology,Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Witwatersrand

Full Text

PDF (126KB)

Keywords

Thyroid disorders; pregnancy; South Africa

Cite this article

South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2017;23(3):85-88. DOI:10.7196/sajog.1211

Article History

Date submitted: 2017-06-20
Date published: 2017-12-22

Article Views

Abstract views: 18225
Full text views: 2034

Comments on this article

*Read our policy for posting comments here


The South African Medical Association is the official publisher of the SAJOG.

                                                           

                                        SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

                                                         Events | Careers | CPD

 

The South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology| Online ISSN: 2305-8862 | Print ISSN: 0038-2329 | 

Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 4.0) | 

This journal is protected by a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 4.0) | Read our privacy policy.

SAMA Journals: South African Medical Journal African Journal of Health Professions Education South African Journal of Bioethics and Law South African Journal of Child Health | Southern African Journal of Critical Care  | South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Undergraduate Research in Health African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine  | Southern African Journal of Public Health