Graves' Disease during pregnancy--results of antithyroid drug therapy.

AIM OF STUDY: To assess the maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancies in thyrotoxic women.

METHOD: Thyrotoxic women who conceived while on treatment or who conceived within two years after stopping treatment, were recruited into the study. The antithyroid drugs (PTU and methimazole) dosage were adjusted to keep T3 and T4 within the upper normal range for these women. Cord blood and baby's blood (between days 4 and 10) were assayed for T3, T4 and TSH.

RESULTS

Thirteen women (16 pregnancies) required antithyroid drugs during pregnancy. The drug dosage remained the same during pregnancy in 8 women while it was increased in 5 women and reduced in 3 women. One woman who was in remission at the time of conception remained euthyroid throughout her pregnancy. There were 14 spontaneous vaginal deliveries and 3 Caesarean sections. One baby had a small VSD while no other congenital malformations or perinatal death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug therapy can adequately control thyrotoxicosis during pregnancy and improve maternal and fetal outcome.