Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in North-West region of Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Madina Al-Munawara region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to compare the results with other reported studies.


METHODS
All deliveries conducted at the Ministry of Health Hospitals, Health Centers and Private Hospitals in Madina Al-Munawara region, KSA during the period from 1989 to 1999 were included in this study. Cord blood samples for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) measurement was used for screening.


RESULTS
Out of 200,040 deliveries 193,613 infants were screened for CH during the study period. Forty-six infants had hypothyroidism with an overall prevalence of 1:4208 live births. Thirty-three (72%) of the diagnosed infants were Saudi and 13 (28%) were not Saudi. The male to female ratio was 1:3. The mean age at the start of treatment was 9 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The screening program based on the initial measurement of TSH in cord blood is detected by nearly 97% of the total infants born in Madina region over 10 years. The overall prevalence of CH was 1:4208 lower than other local studies. Mental retardation can be prevented by neonatal screening program; however, Neonatologists and Pediatricians should remain vigilant in searching for signs and symptoms of CH.
Al-Maghamsi
Mohammad S
MS
Department of Pediatrics, Medina Maternity & Children's Hospital, PO Box 5019, Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. msfaleh@yahoo.com
Al-Hawsawi
Zakaria M
ZM
Ghulam
Ghulam N
GN
Okasha
Ahmad M
AM
D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology