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Screening of congenital hyperthyroidism in Morocco: a pilot study
Saâd Maniar1, Chadia Amor2, Abbas Bijjou3
1Observatoire régional d'épidémiologie, Hôpital Al Ghassani, Fès (Maroc).
Insights
This study assessed the feasibility of a newborn screening program for congenital hypothyroidism (HC) in Morocco. Results indicate a significant incidence of HC, supporting the need for a national screening initiative.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on congenital hypothyroidism (HC) incidence in Morocco.
- Assessing the feasibility of neonatal screening for HC is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism in Morocco.
- To determine the incidence of HC in a Moroccan newborn population.
Main Methods:
- A screening campaign was conducted on 15,615 newborns in Fez, Morocco.
- Positive cases were followed for seven years, alongside a qualitative study of parents and health professionals.
Main Results:
- Twelve cases of hypothyroidism were confirmed, with an incidence of 1:1301 births (1:1952 excluding transient cases).
- Athyreosis and partial agenesis each accounted for 25% of cases; 50% had normal thyroid glands in place.
- Early testing and treatment initiation led to positive anthropometric and psychomotor development outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence supporting the establishment of a national neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism in Morocco.
- The findings highlight the importance of early detection and management of HC in newborns.
Background:
In Morocco we have no reliable information on the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (HC).
Aims:
The aim of our study was to explore the feasibility of a neonatal screening program for this disease in Morocco.
Methods:
We conducted a screening campaign in the HC 15 615 newborns in the wilaya of Fez in north-central Morocco. Positive cases have been followed up during seven years. Over the same period, we conducted a retrospective qualitative study among parents of newly screened positive newborns and health professionals.
Results:
Twelve cases of hypothyroidism have been confirmed, a frequency 1p1301 births. When excluding 4 cases of hypothyroidism transients, the frequency of HC becomes 1p1952 births, athyreosis represents 25% of cases, partial agenesis 25% of cases and 50 % of cases had normal thyroid glands in place; 67% are female and 33% male. The average age of testing was 17.1 ± 6.6 days and the start of treatment was 43.4 ± 8.7 days. Tracking cases brought under replacement therapy showed a good evolution of anthropometric parameters and psychomotor. The qualitative study found that parents are monitoring their babies very seriously despite the very low socio-economic class of the vast majority of them.
Conclusions:
The results of our study support the need for the establishment of a neonatal screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism in Morocco.
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