Multicentre study of a new test for TSH-screening in blood spots

A multicentre study for the detection of congenital hypothyroidism by enzyme-immunoassay of thyrotropin in filter paper blood spots is described. The method is accurate, with good precision and adequate sensitivity. No interference due to common blood constituents has been observed. Moreover, the TSH determination can easily be performed by photometric measurement of enzyme activity. Large series of samples can be processed by automation using common laboratory analysers. Values show good agreement with those obtained by RIA methods. We present a method for screening for congenital hypothyroidism which can be performed in all clinical laboratories.