Current status of the congenital hypothyroidism neonatal screening program in Adana Province, Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common cause of mental retardation; it has a worldwide incidence ranging from 1:3000 to 1:4500 live births. Predictably, an increase in the reported incidence of primary CH occurs when the cut-off levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone are lowered. We aimed to evaluate the results of a congenital hypothyroidism screening program and current status in this study. Methods: Analysis results of 1300 infants who were referred to the endocrinology polyclinic because of suspected CH within the scope of the Ministry of Health National Neonatal Screening Program were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The diagnosis of CH and initiation of treatment were both done in 223 (18.5%) and 10 (0.8%) infants as a result of the initial evaluation and follow-up, respectively. The mean capillary and venous thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of 223 patients were 40.78 (5.5–100) μIU/mL and 67.26 (10.7–100) μIU/mL, respectively. These patients’ mean heel prick time was 8.65 (0–30, median: 7) days. The mean age of the 223 infants whose treatment was initiated as a result of the initial evaluation was 19.87 (4–51, median: 20) days, and the mean age of the infants whose treatment was started at follow-up was 43.71 (29–65) days. The duration between heel prick time and venous TSH time was 11.10 (2–28, median: 11) days and was longer than planned (3–5 days). Conclusions: Although the duration for the diagnosis and initiation of CH treatment were markedly reduced with the implementation of the screening program in Turkey compared to those before the implementation of the screening program, we have not yet achieved the ideal time (≤14 days).