Assessment of endocrine factors in Tunisian women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Rim Frikha (TN), Nouha Bouayed (TN), Salima Daoud (TN), Tarek Rebai (TN)
[Frikha] Faculty of Medecine, [Bouayed] Faculty of Medecine, [Daoud] Faculty of Medecine, [Rebai] Faculty of Medecine
CONTEXT: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), as at least two or more miscarriages, is a devastating reproductive problem that affects more than 1% of couples who are trying to conceive. A variety of possible etiologies have been described. Often, endocrine disorders are a major cause of clinically recognized miscarriage and it is estimated that approximately 8 to 12% of all pregnancy losses are the result of endocrine factors. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of endocrine disorders in couples with history of recurrent pregnancy loss. Moreover, to delineate strategies for clinical management in subsequent pregnancy in couples with fetal losses from Tunisia, Northern of Africa. METHODS: A retrospective study. PATIENT(S): The study included 126 couples with 2 or more pregnancy loss. INTERVENTION(S): Data of 126 couples were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4 and TSH), follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, prolactin and blood glucose. RESULTS: Of a total of 126 couples, 27 women had endocrine disorders with an overall incidence of (21.4 %). Endocrinological abnormalities are as below: ovarian insufficiency (37%); uncontrolled diabetes (29.6%), hyperprolactinemia (18.5%) and tyroid dysfunction (14.8%) CONCLUSION: The present results strengthen the current literature associating endocrinological factors and RPL. So that, this study emphasizes the importance of hormonal evaluation to elucidate the causes of RPL, thus, clinical management and therapeutic prevention should be discussed in subsequent pregnancy.