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Clinical Trial
. 2016;86(3):169-177.
doi: 10.1159/000448658. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

Transient versus Permanent Congenital Hypothyroidism after the Age of 3 Years in Infants Detected on the First versus Second Newborn Screening Test in Oregon, USA

George A Ford  1 , Sara Denniston, David Sesser, Michael R Skeels, Stephen H LaFranchi
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Transient versus Permanent Congenital Hypothyroidism after the Age of 3 Years in Infants Detected on the First versus Second Newborn Screening Test in Oregon, USA

George A Ford et al. Horm Res Paediatr. 2016.

Abstract

Background/aims: The newborn screening (NBS) program in Oregon, USA, collects two routine specimens in all infants. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of permanent versus transient congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in infants detected on the first versus second screening test.

Methods: Thyroid function was determined in infants after the age of 3 years diagnosed with CH and born in Oregon between 2005 and 2011. Permanent hypothyroidism was defined as a TSH rise >10 mIU/ml after the first year on treatment or a TSH rise >6 mIU/ml with temporary discontinuation of l-thyroxine after the age of 3 years.

Results: Of the cases detected on the first test, 72 of 87 (83%) were permanent and 15 of 87 (17%) were transient, while of the cases detected on the second test, 5 of 22 (23%) were permanent and 17 of 22 (77%) were transient (OR 16.3, p < 0.001). There was a female preponderance detected on the first screen versus a male preponderance on the second screen. Blood spot and serum thyroid function tests at diagnosis, before treatment, were not meaningfully different between the two groups. The mean l-thyroxine dose at the age of 3 years was greater on the first screen: 61.2 versus 36.6 μg/day.

Conclusions: Infants detected on the second NBS specimen have a higher incidence of transient CH. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Congenital hypothyroidism cases born in Oregon 2005–2011, patients detected on 1st and 2nd screening test, number found and included for study, with thyroid function at age 3 years.
Figure 2a
Figure 2a
Percentage of permanent (n=72), transient (n=15), and indeterminate (n=18) CH cases on the first NBS (total n=105).
Figure 2b
Figure 2b
Percentage of permanent (n=5), transient (n=17), and indeterminate (n=2) CH cases on the second NBS (n=24).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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