title: Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in the Islamic Republic of Iran: strategies, obstacles and future perspectives.
abstract: The operational feasibility of a congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening programme was assessed. Cord blood spot specimens were collected at seven Teheran hospitals and within the Damavand District health network. Cord thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels > or = 20 mU/L were recalled and levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy was started immediately after diagnosis of CH. Of 20,107 acceptable specimens, 22 neonates had CH (1:914 births). The recall rate was 1.3%. Screening coverage was 90% of live births. Of all cord samples, only 0.2% were unacceptable either because of delay in transportation or improper specimen collection. Median ages at the time of diagnosis and starting treatment were 12 and 8 days respectively. Screening for CH is feasible and a national screening programme is a necessity.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Metabolism Research Centre, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ordookhani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirmiran
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hajipour
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedayati
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azizi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism; D003663:Decision Trees; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005544:Forecasting; D006302:Health Services Research; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin