Congenital Hypothyroidism in Neonates of a Tertiary Care Hospital

To determine neonatal congenital hypothyroidism among neonates born in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study was carried out at Pathology Department of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore in collaboration with Pediatrics and Gynecology & Obstetrics Department, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. A total of 770 babies were included in this study, both male and female. About 2 ml venous blood samples were collected aseptically from the neonates in sterile clotted tube. Serum was separated and serum TSH was determined by ELISA method.

Out of total 770 neonates, 48.9% were female and 51.0% were males with the ratio of 1:1.04. Neonatal congenital hypothyroidisim (TSH, >30 mIU/L), was observed in 0.4% (Frequency, 1:257) nenates, with the incidence rate of 1:257. Female to male ratio of hypothyroid neonates was 2:1. The mode of delivery vise distribution showed, among n=251 neonates born by normal delivery, only a single case of hypothyroidism was detected, and among n=519 neonates delivered by cesarean section, only two neonates were belong to hypothyroidism.

The frequency of Congenital Hypothyroidism is notably higher in pediatric community than reported in most other countries. This result emphasizes the necessity of a nationwide screening program.