Prevalence of transient congenital hypothyroidism among neonates

Persistence of low levels of thyroid hormone from the time of birth is one of the significant causes of the mental retardation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of transient congenital hypothyroidism among neonates in (XXX).

This cross-sectional study, neonates aged 3-5 days who were referred to our center for checkup were screened for thyroid stimulating hormone. Those with TSH < 5mIU/l were, infants were subjected to retesting after one week for TSH and T4 levels. A questionnaire consisting of test results, demographic characteristics, place of sampling, gender, need for re-sampling after the second week for TSH level, birth weight, type of hypothyroidism and prematurity was filled for all the neonates.

Of 3600 neonates screened, 126 were presented with had TSH above 5 mIU/l, of which 7 had high TSH and low T4 and were diagnosed with transient hypothyroidism (5.3%). The mean weight of the neonates with hypothyroidism of significantly lower, p = 0.001. However, the type of delivery was not associated with the prevalence of hypothyroidism, p = 0.999. The relationship between maternal hypothyroidism, preterm birth and intake of antithyroid drugs and transient hypothyroidism was statistically significant, p < 0.001, respectively.

The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism was 1 in 514 births and was significantly associated with preterm birth, mean weight, maternal hypothyroidism and intake of antithyroid drugs. Routine screening in high prevalence regions are therefore importance, considering the associated factors.