title: Epidemiology of congenital hypothyroidism in Markazi Province, Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) among newborns in Markazi Province, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2006 to 2012. Blood samples were taken between 3 to 5 days after birth from the heel. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was tested using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and was employed as the screening test. Newborns with abnormal screening results (TSH >5 mIU/L) were re-examined. The data were analyzed using SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 127 112 infants were screened. Of these, 51.2% were male and 48.8% were female. The coverage rate of the screening program was 100%. Of 6102 recalled subjects (re-call rate 4.8%), 414 cases with CH were detected, yielding a CH prevalence of 1:307 (female:male ratio 1:0.95). The prevalence of permanent and transient CH was 1:581 and 1:628, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals that the prevalence of CH is higher compared to worldwide levels. Comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing related risk factors should be a priority for health system research in this province.
authors.affiliation: abriz University of Medical Sciences, National Public Health Management Center, Department of Community Medicine, Tabriz, Iran. E-ma-il: zenalali@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dorreh
authors.forename: Parsa Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chaijan
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Javaheri
authors.forename: Ali Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zeinalzadeh
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003241:Consanguinity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine