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Congenital hypothyroidism in Indian preterm babies - screening, prevalence, and aetiology

Hemchand Krishna Prasad1, Poornima Pulluru2, Lakshmi Venugopalan2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Mehta Multispeciality Hospitals India Pvt Ltd, India.

Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
|September 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Congenital hypothyroidism affects 1 in 77 Indian preterm infants, with 50% having permanent thyroid defects. Repeat testing is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely thyroxine therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Limited data exists on hypothyroidism in Indian preterm infants.
  • Screening for congenital hypothyroidism is essential for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in preterm infants in India.
  • To investigate the causes and screening experiences for hypothyroidism in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A 3-year prospective observational study included preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) born in a tertiary care unit.
  • Heel prick screening for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) was performed, with confirmatory venous testing for elevated TSH levels.
  • Etiological evaluation and thyroxine therapy were initiated for confirmed cases.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was found to be 1 in 77 preterm infants.
  • Repeat venous testing at term identified additional cases, highlighting the need for re-evaluation.
  • Maternal antibodies and permanent thyroid defects were equally responsible for congenital hypothyroidism (50% each).

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism necessitates robust screening protocols in Indian preterm infants.
  • Repeat venous testing is crucial, regardless of initial screening results, to ensure accurate diagnosis.
  • Half of the confirmed cases had permanent thyroid defects, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management.
Abstract

Keywords:
congenital hypothyroidismretesting.screeningpreterm

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