Thyroid dysfunction in the offspring of mothers with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

UNLABELLED: An integrated three-compartment thyroid model exists during gestation: pregnancy influences thyroid function in several ways, the placenta plays an active role in TRH-thyroid and iodide transport and metabolism, and the fetus develops its own hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. This commentary reviews some basic and new data, especially in the maternal-offspring relationship in the case of maternal autoimmune thyroid diseases.

CONCLUSION

The careful control of maternal autoimmune thyroid disease is essential in order to avoid pathological changes in the offspring.