2025: Study of Fluoride and Thyroid Profile Status in Pregnancy of Second Trimester Women: A Cross-sectional Study
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 5:32 pm
Bohra S, Uppalamethi M, P V, KN S - "Study of Fluoride and Thyroid Profile Status in Pregnancy of Second Trimester Women: A Cross-sectional Study" J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 17(3):292-298 (2025)
https://www.jsafog.com/abstractArticleC ... le/Article
Abstract
Background: Kolar district has been declared as fluoride endemic in Karnataka. Fluoride exposure may affect cognitive development in offspring, which is influenced by maternal thyroid hormones, as the fetus relies on these hormones until midgestation and continues to be affected till birth. Aim: To investigate the relationship between fluoride exposure and thyroid hormone levels during midgestation and to assess the impact of fluoride on thyroid disruption.
Methods: This prospective purposive sampling included pregnant women of < 35 years, with gestational periods from 13 to 27 weeks, and age-matched nonpregnant women attending Outpatient Department (OPD) of OBG in RL Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre.
Results: A comparison of biochemical variables among clinically proven healthy controls and second-trimester subjects, total triiodothyronine (1.39 ± 0.23; 2.00 ± 1.61), total thyroxine (8.33 ± 2.04; 13.81 ± 3.58), and serum fluoride (0.14 ± 0.02; 0.49 ± 0.31) observed elevated significantly in group II. Whereas, TSH levels were notably lower in group II compared to group I. Pearson's correlation for serum fluoride with thyroid hormones and hemoglobin in study subjects observed significant negative correlation of serum fluoride with hemoglobin percentage. In the control group, a negative correlation was observed with serum fluoride, but it was not statistically. In the study group, the correlation between hemoglobin and thyroid hormones showed that T4 was significantly negatively correlated, while T3 and TSH did not show significant correlations during pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of excess fluoride levels in the underground and tap water. Excess fluoride intake during early pregnancy may lead to increased prevalence and severity of maternal anemia as well as adverse fetal outcomes in the form of fetal intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, miscarriages, abortions, intrauterine deaths, and congenital malformations. Further, multicentric studies with large study populations are required in order to better establish the relationship of the excess fluoride exposures with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
https://www.jsafog.com/abstractArticleC ... le/Article
Abstract
Background: Kolar district has been declared as fluoride endemic in Karnataka. Fluoride exposure may affect cognitive development in offspring, which is influenced by maternal thyroid hormones, as the fetus relies on these hormones until midgestation and continues to be affected till birth. Aim: To investigate the relationship between fluoride exposure and thyroid hormone levels during midgestation and to assess the impact of fluoride on thyroid disruption.
Methods: This prospective purposive sampling included pregnant women of < 35 years, with gestational periods from 13 to 27 weeks, and age-matched nonpregnant women attending Outpatient Department (OPD) of OBG in RL Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre.
Results: A comparison of biochemical variables among clinically proven healthy controls and second-trimester subjects, total triiodothyronine (1.39 ± 0.23; 2.00 ± 1.61), total thyroxine (8.33 ± 2.04; 13.81 ± 3.58), and serum fluoride (0.14 ± 0.02; 0.49 ± 0.31) observed elevated significantly in group II. Whereas, TSH levels were notably lower in group II compared to group I. Pearson's correlation for serum fluoride with thyroid hormones and hemoglobin in study subjects observed significant negative correlation of serum fluoride with hemoglobin percentage. In the control group, a negative correlation was observed with serum fluoride, but it was not statistically. In the study group, the correlation between hemoglobin and thyroid hormones showed that T4 was significantly negatively correlated, while T3 and TSH did not show significant correlations during pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of excess fluoride levels in the underground and tap water. Excess fluoride intake during early pregnancy may lead to increased prevalence and severity of maternal anemia as well as adverse fetal outcomes in the form of fetal intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, miscarriages, abortions, intrauterine deaths, and congenital malformations. Further, multicentric studies with large study populations are required in order to better establish the relationship of the excess fluoride exposures with adverse pregnancy outcomes.