MICROSOMAL ANTIBODIES DURING GESTATION IN RELATION TO POSTPARTUM THYROID-DYSFUNCTION AND DEPRESSION

Rationale-Microsomal antibodies have been related to postpartum thyroi d dysfunction and postpartum depression. Objectives-To detect the valu e of microsomal antibodies during gestation in a random population, as a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction and depression during the postp artum period. Main findings-The presence of microsomal antibodies was investigated in a random population of 293 women at 32 weeks' gestatio n. At the same time, postpartum thyroid function was assessed repeated ly in all women every six weeks up to 34 weeks' postpartum. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction, defined as the presence of abnormal TSH, in comb ination with abnormal fT4 and/or fT3 values, occurred in 21 women (7.2 %) during the postpartum period. Depression was assessed using the Res earch Diagnostic Criteria without knowing the results of biochemical t hyroid function tests. At 32 weeks' gestation there were 27 (9.2%) wom en with elevated microsomal antibody titres. Compared with microsomal- antibody negative women at 32 weeks' gestation, these women had an RR of 20 for developing postpartum thyroid dysfunction and an RR of 1.7 f or developing postpartum depression. Conclusions-Women Women with elev ated microsomal antibody titres during gestation are particularly at r isk for postpartum thyroid dysfunction, but only have a slightly incre ased risk for postpartum depression.