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Thyroiditis occurs in 5 to 10 percent of postpartum women
The background of the study. Postpartum thyroiditis is a thyroid disorder that by definition occurs within one year after parturition. It results in transient hyperthyroidism, transient (and occasionally permanent) hypothyroidism, or the former followed by the latter. Most of the women have high serum antithyroid antibody concentrations. In this study, studies of postpartum thyroiditis were reviewed systematically and a summary estimate of its prevalence was calculated.
How the study was done. Studies were included in the review if they contained the results of measurements of serum thyrotropin (TSH) in women <1 year postpartum . Crude prevalence estimates were calculated as the number of women with postpartum thyroiditis (high or low serum TSH concentration at any time) divided by the total number of women studied.
The results of the study. Among 15 studies of postpartum women, the average prevalence of postpartum thyroiditis was 8.1 percent. The prevalence was slightly greater when serum TSH was measured for as long as 12 months postpartum than when it was measured for 6 months, and it was higher in women with a personal or family history of thyroid disease.
The conclusions of the study. Among postpartum women, 8 percent have thyroiditis, as manifested by an abnormal serum TSH concentration at some time during the first year after delivery.
The original article. Nicholson WK, Robinson KA, Smallridge RC, Ladenson PW, Powe NR. Prevalence of postpartum thyroid dysfunction: a quantitative review. Thyroid 2006;16:573-82.
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