Abstract

Women with thyroid dysfunction who become pregnant or who develop problems during pregnancy present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Particular problems arise because the symptoms of pregnancy may mimic some of those seen in thyroid disease, measures of thyroid function are altered and management must consider the welfare of the unborn child. In this article we review the issues as they relate to pregnancy generally and tackle the problems that can occur when thyroid dysfunction develops both in the post partum period and in the newborn child.