Growth of patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Japan.
BACKGROUND
The growth of patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Japan was investigated. The data investigated were obtained from Medical Aid Program for Chronic Pediatric Diseases of Specified Categories registered in 2002.


METHODS
The present study included 2341 patients (1030 male, 1311 female) registered as having congenital hypothyroidism. To investigate the growth of these patients, their heights plotted on cross-sectional growth charts for boys and girls, their bodyweights expressed as percentage of bodyweight for height and the frequency distribution of percentage of bodyweight for height were assessed.


RESULTS
Cross-sectional growth charts of both male and female patients showed that the heights of the majority of the patients with congenital hypothyroidism were within +/-2SD. Approximately half of the patients with heights below -2SD, had some complications. The mean percentages of ideal bodyweights for height were 103.0 +/- 12.9% for both sexes (+/-SD, n = 2033), 103.3 +/- 12.7% for boys, and 102.7 +/- 12.9% for girls. The frequency distribution of percentage of bodyweight showed no tendency of shifting to either ends in comparison with normal distribution curve.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening had normal growth in general, suggesting that the neonatal screening system is being performed efficiently from detection to treatment of the disease in Japan. However, it remains unclear whether some uncomplicated patients with a height below -2 SD are sufficiently treated or not. Close observation of these patients may be needed.
Sato
Hirokazu
H
Sunrise Children's Clinic, Funabashi Chiba, Japan. hechiba@aol.com
Sasaki
Nozomu
N
Aoki
Kikumaro
K
Kuroda
Yasuhiro
Y
Kato
Tadaaki
T
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening