| Postpartum thyroiditis is characterised by thyroid dysfunction occurring in 50% of the 10% of women found to be anti-TPO +ve during gestation. Postpartum hypothyroidism is seen in 80% of these women and there is a significant incidence of permanent hypothyroidism in these cases. Clinical symptomatology may be profound and mild to moderate postpartum depression occurs more commonly in anti-TPO Ab +ve postpartum women than in Ab -ve ones. The pathogenesis of PPT involves humoral and cellular immune mechanisms and there is a similarity to Hashimoto's thyroididtis. Because of the incidence and morbidity of PPT there is a case for evaluation of the role of routine screening for anti-TPO antibodies in all pregnant women. |
