[Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Austria (author's transl)]

Screening for Hypothyroidism is part of the Austrian Newborn Screening for Inborn Errors and centralized (ca. 85.000 births/year). It began 1976 in 2 provinces and covers the whole country since 7.6.1978. Primary T4 and selective TSH on 3 mm discs is used. Control frequency is 0.14%, the frequency of permanent primary hypothyroidism is 1:4724. Hypothyroidism seems more frequent in Western- then in Eastern- Austria (1:4227 v. 1:5422). Hypothyroid babies are almost double as frequently born in September until November then in other quarters of the year. In 47 cases 28 male compare with 19 female. In 4 cases with low T4 and high TSH in the initial Tests T4 became normal within 13--27 days while TSH remained high.