Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in the United Arab Emirates measured by raised TSH levels.
The United Arab Emirates National Screening Programme for Congenital Hypothyroidism was established in January 1998. The programme measures neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of blood samples collected on filter paper on day 5 by heel prick. The prevalence of raised TSH levels (> 5 microU/mL whole blood) during 1998 and 1999 was used to evaluate the degree of iodine-deficiency disorders (IDD) in the population in different regions. The ratio of TSH profile in the present study and goitre rate in schools in a 1994 study were discrepant, although there was good correlation between the ratio of TSH profile and urinary iodine. The prevalence of raised TSH levels was < 3% in the Emirates overall, which is normal, and IDD varied from mild to normal problems in different regions.
Al-Hosani
H
H
Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Osman
H
H
Abdel Wareth
L
L
Saade
D
D
Salah
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D009017:Morbidity; D009313:National Health Programs; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012016:Reference Values; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine