[Using newborn congenital hypothyroidism screening specimens to detect iodine deficiency in three regions of Spain].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia by measurements of thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations has been assessed in three different areas of Spain. The repercussions of a possible iodine deficiency in a congenital hypothyroidism screening program have also been analysed

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The study comprised 113,108 newborns, which were divided into two groups according to the time of blood sampling. In 78,646 newborns heel blood samples were obtained after 48h whereas in 34,462 newborns, samples were obtained at birth from the umbilical cord (early samples). Newborns came from three areas of the south of Spain, Seville, Huelva and Cordoba. TSH concentrations were measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay.

RESULTS:

The percentage of hyperthyrotropinemia was greater in Huelva (5.2%) than Seville (1.0%) (p<0.001), similar to that observed in early samples, which was higher in Huelva (5.3%) than in Seville (1.9%) and Cordoba (1.7%) (p<0.001). In the early samples group, 0.3% and 0.2% of the newborns from Seville and Cordoba respectively, had TSH >20mIU/L and 10 infants should have been recalled for a new sample for each case detected. While in Huelva 17 infants (0.9%) were recalled per case detected.

CONCLUSIONS:

The heterogeneous distribution of TSH concentrations in newborns from several geographical areas appears to indicate an irregular and deficient iodine intake. Using early samples and a possible iodine deficiency, increase false positive results in a Neonatal Screening Program of congenital hypothyroidism.

• Authors: T Arrobas Velilla, C González Rodríguez, A Barco Sánchez, C Morales Portillo, J A Bermúdez de la Vega, S Bernal Cerrato, A Gentil Baldrich, J M Guerrero Montávez, A Sendón Pérez, J M González de Buitrago Arriero, R Goberna Ortiz
• Journal: Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) (An Pediatr (Barc)) Vol. 72 Issue 2 Pg. 121-7 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1695-9531 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Detección de deficiencia de yodo en el sur de España mediante el cribado del hipotiroidismo congénito.
• PMID: 20022570 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thyrotropin
• Iodine

Topics

• Female
• Humans
• Hypothyroidism (epidemiology)
• Infant, Newborn
• Iodine (deficiency)
• Male
• Mass Screening (methods)
• Prevalence
• Spain (epidemiology)
• Thyrotropin (blood)