Geographical epidemiology of neonatal transitory hypothyroidism. Trend evidence in central Italian region.
OBJECTIVE
To study the geographical distribution of high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in the Marche region (central Italy).


METHODS
Data were drawn from the Register of Neonatal Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) of the Marche region (Italy), located at the Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Civil Hospital in Fano (Marche, Italy). Data were analyzed by Ohno's method.


RESULTS
The findings of this study show a nonuniform distribution of high TSH levels in the Marche region, with an evident gradient from North to South.


CONCLUSIONS
It is not possible to provide a definitive interpretation of these findings, although the specialized literature suggests that a high level of TSH in neonates should be interpreted as a marker of insufficient iodine uptake. Other factors affecting TSH level are also taken into consideration.
Istituto di Biomatematica, Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy. m.rocchi@uniurb.it
Marco B L
MB
Rocchi
Davide
D
Sisti
Maria Cristina
MC
Albertini
Giulia
G
Burroni
Vera
V
Stoppioni
Renzo
R
Ciatti
Massimo
M
Burroni
D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000378:metabolism; D007558:Italy; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine