Pattern of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Newborns in Sidi-Galal Clinic Assiut Governorate.

Thyroid hormone is essential for normal somatic growth and neurological development in infants and children. Deficiency of thyroid hormone in the first 2 years of life results in congenital hypothyroidism (CH). CH manifests by mental retardation and growth retardation in newborn.

Newborn screening (NS) for CH aims to early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism. CH occurs about one in 3000-4000 infants . CH is suspected in neonatal screening when capillary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations are elevated (>15 mU/L in Germany). The diagnosis is confirmed by measuring venous TSH and free thyroxine levels (FT4) concentrations before the start of treatment.

CH can be classified into permanent or transient congenital hypothyroidism (TCH). While CH is a persistent deficiency of thyroid hormones that requires lifelong treatment, TCH is a temporary deficiency that reverts to normal concentrations with proper medical management, usually during the first few months of life and not after the age of 3 years.

Transient neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia (TNH) is defined as temporary postnatal elevation of TSH levels (10 mIU/L-20 mIU/L) with normal FT4 levels but TSH returning to normal (<10 mIU/L) when measured at 14 d of life. It is important to recognize TNH as these newborns have a higher risk of developing permanent hypothyroidism with repercussion on developmental status. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the neonatal and maternal factors associated with TNH . So that, identifying these factors may be considered as an appropriate strategy to prevent these possible disorders. There is a gap in studying the prevalence and the predictors of transient neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia particularly in Assiut Governorate.