Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Recurrent miscarriage is a common complication of pregnancy and when the cause is unknown; relationship of autoimmune thyroid disease to pregnancy loss has been the object of considerable interest.
OBJECTIVE:
To estimate whether thyroid auto-antibodies (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies) could be used as a marker for detection of abortion in cases with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.
METHODS:
This study was carried out at the department of obstetrics and gynecology in AL- Kadhymia Teaching Hospital from March 2008 through September 2009. Fifty pregnant women in their first trimester (7th – 12th weeks) were followed up till 20th weeks of gestation by the researcher himself (they have three previous unexplained first and second trimester miscarriages).Thyroid peroxidase (TPOAB) measurement by ELISA and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAB) by slide methods with flourescein were done to the patients, cases with abortions were reported and the status of thyroid antibodies was evaluated. Free T3; free T4, TSH measured by RIA technique.
RESULTS:
In eighteen patients the antibody titer was positive while thirty-two had negative tests for thyroid auto-antibodies. TGABS (thirty-six) were negative, (thirty-three) continue pregnancy and only (three) aborted. TGABS (fourteen) were positive, (four) cases continue and (ten) aborted. TPOABS (forty-one) were negative (thirty-nine) cases continue pregnancy and only (two) aborted. TPOABS (nine) cases were positive, (seven aborted and only (two) cases continue pregnancy. This study showed a significant association between AB. Positivity and maternal age.
CONCLUSION:
Thyroid auto antibodies can serve as a useful biochemical marker for cases with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and there is a positive relation with increasing maternal age (thyroid auto antibodies).