FREQUENCY OF CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN NEWBORN AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a condition which presents at birth and causes severe developmental abnormalities if left undiagnosed/treated. The study reported the burden of Congenital hypothyroidism among neonates Department of paediatrics, Abbasi shaheed Hospital,  Karachi in the duration from January, 2024 to June, 2024 and evaluated maternal and demographic risk factors. In the methodology Five hundred newborns were screened for CH using Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in a Cross-sectional study. There were three TSH level groups based on their levels: less than 10%, 11-20% and greater than 20%. Other data including criminal history, and patient s age, family history of thyroid diseases as well as gender and consanguinity were also collected and analyzed.

The overall prevalence, 2% was identified with CH which is same as that noted in other developing countries. Female newborns were much likely to have CH compared with male (about 60% vs. 40%). Further, being aged ≥ 35 years and having a positive family history of thyroid disease in the mother were found to be strong risk factors for CH. Consequently, 20% of the cases were consanguineous.

The study an unexpectedly high prevalence of CH in the region underlining the necessity of having newborn screening programs as a routine to invite early diagnosis and intervention. This highlights the need for selective screening in particular among female infants, those with older maternal age or family history of thyroid conditions. We must broaden the scope of research to larger samples and multiple hospitals, for a better elucidation of molecular epidemiology in CH which might help to enhance maternal and newborn health outcomes.