[The neonatal detection of congenital hypothyroidism (author's transl)]

Congenital hypothyroidism appears to be the commonest infantile endocrine disease (1/3000 to 1/5000 newborn). Previous experience has shown that the clinical diagnosis during the neonatal period is often difficult and that the long term result is dependent upon the rapidity with which hormone treatment is begun. A rational approach to these data and the possibility of miniaturisation of methods for the radio-immunological estimation of T4 and TSH led to the possibility of neonatal detection on a routine basis being envisaged. Recent results, both in France and elsewhere, confirm the value of such screening, which nervertheless continues to pose some problems. The authors here summarize current information concerning this form of screening which will surely soon take its place amongst routine neonatal examinations on the same basis as that for phenylketonuria.