[The effect of pre-eclampsia on thyroid gland function].

The prospective study involved 183 pregnant women with disorders of the thyroid gland, who were regularly followed up and delivered at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre, Belgrade, over a period of 10 years (1981-1990). There were 15 euthyroid patients in whom development of pre-eclampsia was diagnosed in the last trimester of pregnancy, and 20 healthy pregnant women with normal pregnancies and termed deliveries. The incidence of pre-eclampsia was analyzed depending on the basic disease, therapy and pregnancy metabolic status, as well as on their influence on the function. A statistically significant higher incidence of pre-eclampsia (p < 0.001) was observed in pregnant women with hyperthyroidism (26.0%) and hypothyroidism (26.8%). On the other hand, in euthyroid patients with pre-eclampsia the authors found that the concentration of total and free thyroxine was somewhat lower, while that of thyroid-stimulating hormone was a little higher comparing to the healthy pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy. Similar changes were noticed in patients with hypothyroidism. In pregnant women with hyperthyroidism and pre-eclampsia it was established that the concentration of thyroxine and triiodothyronine was somewhat higher, and that concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone was a little lower comparing to all examined women in the equal metabolic condition. In the authors' opinion diseases of the thyroid gland represent a predisposing factor, i.e. a risk factor for the development of pre-eclampsia. The aim of further investigation is to observe mutual influences, pathogenetic mechanisms of further development of pre-eclampsia in patients with thyroid disorders, i. e. the influence of pre-eclampsia on thyroid disorders.