[Hypothyroid, iodine-deficient goitre in neonates (author's transl)]

Within one year 1750 mature neonates were examined for congenital hypothyroidism. The region of Göttingen is known to be an iodine-deficient one. Sixteen goitrous, hypothyroid neonates with a low total thyroxine, and raised serum TSH concentration were first diagnosed through this screening programme. As a result of the intra-uterine iodine deficiency, serum triiodothyronine concentration was elevated while urinary iodine excretion was reduced compared with euthyroid neonates. During iodine treatment the size of the thyroid became normal within eight days, TSH after 3.8 days and serum thyroxine after three days. Serum triiodothyronine concentration remained elevated for several weeks, presumably as a result of the persisting iodine deficiency. The results indicate that a neonatal screening programme for hypothyroidism is as essential as adding iodine to table salt for avoiding neonatal and foetal maldevelopment.