BackgroundThe association between hypothyroidism and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy is not well established. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and IDA during the first trimester of pregnancy. MethodologyIn this study, a total of 144 pregnant women were included. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), and ferritin were measured. Based on TSH values, pregnant women were divided into the following two groups: euthyroid (n = 74) and hypothyroid (n = 70). ResultsThere was a significant increase in TSH levels and a significant decrease in the levels of FT4, FT3, ferritin, iron, and hemoglobin (Hb) in hypothyroid pregnant women compared to euthyroid pregnant women. The correlation and regression analysis revealed a significant negative association of TSH and a positive association of FT4 with ferritin, iron, and Hb. ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the association of hypothyroidism with IDA during the first trimester of pregnancy. Further studies with thyroxine therapy in hypothyroid pregnant women and its impact on IDA will open novel therapeutic approaches in the management of IDA during pregnancy. Further, measurement of serum ferritin during pregnancy may provide valuable information in the diagnosis and management of IDA.

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BACKGROUNDDomestic violence is largely an unaddressed public health problem globally, which can have a detrimental impact on the health of the mother and baby. It is a reflection of neglected and deprioritized health care of women during pregnancy. We wanted to determine the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and the possible risk factors associated with it among the pregnant attending an antenatal clinic in a tertiary care hospital. METHODSA facility based longitudinal study was conducted among 233 pregnant women attending the Out Patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A pre-validated standard questionnaire (abuse assessment screen) was used to screen the pregnant women for domestic violence and a semi-structured proforma to collect the socio-demographic characteristics was also used. Confidentiality was maintained for the data collected. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 20. RESULTSMean age of the pregnant women was 25.02+4.01 years. The prevalence of domestic violence during the first trimester of pregnancy assessed using Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) questionnaire was found to be 35.62%. In the univariate analysis, the significant factors associated with domestic violence during pregnancy were-different social class, poor social support, gender preference and husband's alcohol addiction. However, logistic regression analysis revealed that husband's alcohol addiction (aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.36-4.95), poor social support during pregnancy (aOR 3.42, 95% CI 1.64-7.13) and gender preference (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 2.12-7.16) were the statistically significant factors.