Newborn thyrotropin screening confirms iodine deficiency in Latvia.
OBJECTIVE
The national neonatal thyrotropin (TSH) screening data for 2000-2002 were analysed to assess the extent and severity of iodine deficiency in Latvia.


RESULTS
Elevated newborn TSH (>5 mIU/l) decreased from 16.5 to 10.4% and 8.4% in 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. For each year and in all regions, the prevalence of elevated newborn TSH was above the cut-off level indicative for a public health problem. A positive correlation (r=0.82, P<0.05) existed between elevated newborn TSH and low urinary iodine excretion among a nationwide sample of school children in 2000.


CONCLUSIONS
Latvia is iodine deficient, putting each new generation at risk of preventable brain damage.
Gyurjyan
R H
RH
Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Lugovska
R
R
Vevere
P
P
van der Haar
F
F
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine