Thyroid Disorder Screening in Pregnancy to Be Tested by Pilot Program Starting September
The expectations surrounding the trial launch of the screening program were discussed by Professor Michal Kršek, Chairman of the Czech Endocrinological Society ČLS JEP, on the occasion of the 12th annual “Thyroid Week”.
Thousands of Women Will Be Examined
Endocrinologists and gynecologists have been debating the possibility of universal thyroid function screening in pregnancy for years. Although the risks of undiagnosed and untreated conditions are undeniable and many gynecologists already check thyroid function parameters in pregnant women, there is no official screening program yet. This could change based on the findings of a pilot project set to launch in September 2020. The project is led by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS) in cooperation with the Czech Endocrinological Society ČLS JEP (ČES).
Eight selected gynecological centers across the Czech Republic will participate in the two-year program. Biochemical parameters of thyroid function and levels of relevant antibodies will be tested in 8,000 women in their first trimester of pregnancy. If any abnormalities are found, the patient will be referred for further examination at a cooperating endocrinological facility.
Over 15% of Pregnant Women Could Have Abnormalities
The prevalence of abnormalities in this group of patients could be very high. “Some form of thyroid function disorder is present in 10 to 20 percent of women of reproductive age, a portion of whom are already known. We will see what the numbers look like once the screening is evaluated,” said Professor Kršek in an interview with Czech Radio.
“If the expectation of 10 to 15 percent newly discovered thyroid diseases in pregnant women is confirmed, the pilot project could lead to a nationwide screening, and thyroid function testing could become a standard part of pregnancy testing in the first trimester. Considering that approximately 112,000 women give birth in the Czech Republic each year, early detection could prevent risks in nearly 17,000 of them,” adds endocrinologist Associate Professor Jan Jiskra, Ph.D., from the 3rd Internal Clinic of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague.
A thyroid function disorder can pose a risk to both the physiological development of the fetus and the mother and the smooth progression of her pregnancy. Thyroid dysfunction is also one of the possible causes of infertility.
“Thyroid Week” Has Been Raising Awareness for 12 Years
More than 600,000 Czechs are diagnosed with thyroid disease, and tens of thousands more likely remain undiagnosed. The awareness campaign titled “Thyroid Week” annually highlights the risks and symptoms associated with these diseases. The project, supported by Merck, is professionally endorsed by ČES and ÚZIS ČR. This year, the campaign focused on the relationship between thyroid disorders and pregnancy and how thyroid function changes with age. The long-term goal of “Thyroid Week” is to raise public awareness about thyroid disorders, increase their detection in the population, and repeatedly dispel myths and misconceptions related to the thyroid and its treatment.
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Source: Skalická A., Kuchařík M. Planned Universal Screening Will Detect Thyroid Disorders. It Will Prevent Problems in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Czech Radio Plus, May 26, 2020. Available at: https://plus.rozhlas.cz/planovany-plosny-screening-odhali-poruchy-stitne-zlazy-zamezi-se-tak-problemum-v-8211477
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