Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism: improvement in short-term follow-up by audit and monitoring.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) at our hospital during this study was by measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum samples. This audit was conducted over a 2 year period, to determine the compliance of reporting of results greater than the screening cutoffs for serum TSH. Gaps of non-compliance were identified, and re-audit was undertaken after the corrective actions were taken.

RESULTS:

The critical limit was defined as serum TSH (≥ 20 µIU/ml) following consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist. All results above this limit were reported urgently to physicians. During the audit period, 27,407 tests were performed, 0.7% had a value of ≥ 20 µIU/ml, of those only 62% were reported to the general paediatrician or neonatologist. Reasons for not reporting results included non-availability of contact information, lack of policy awareness by technologists, critical results not highlighted on the computer display, and absence of regular monitoring. Corrective measures were taken, and re-audit was done. During the re-audit period, a total of 22,985 tests was performed, 0.6% had a value of ≥ 20 µIU/ml. Of these, 77% were reported to the general paediatrician or neonatologist. Critical result reporting was improved after the audit, and further enhanced the laboratory service of CH screening.

• Authors: Hafsa Majid, Sibtain Ahmed, Imran Siddiqui, Khadija Humayun, Hussain Karimi, Aysha Habib Khan
• Journal: BMC research notes (BMC Res Notes) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 563 (Dec 14 2020) ISSN: 1756-0500 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33317608 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thyrotropin
• Thyroxine

Topics

• Congenital Hypothyroidism (diagnosis)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Neonatal Screening
• Thyrotropin
• Thyroxine