[Neonatal detection of hypothyroidism in the South-Pyrenean region. Results of 14,000 determinations of T4 in blood eluates collected on blotting-paper]

Abstract

Screening for neonatal hypothyroidism has been undertaken in Southern France by the estimation of T4 in the eluates of blood spots on filter paper. Since March 1976, 14,000 estimations have been made and four cases of hypothyroidism with very low levels of T4 have been detected (less than 38 pg/2 spots). Two cases had high TSH levels (greater than 200 microunits/2 spots). Blood was taken from the hypothyroid babies on the 20th day of life, to check the findings and in all cases the thyroxine was less than 2.8 microgrammes/100 ml and the TSH greater than 40 microunits/ml. T3 was reduced in three cases (less than 75 pg/ml) and normal in one case (150 pg/ml). In all cases no thyroid tissue could be demonstrated with technitium scan. In the first month of life there were practically no symptoms except for mottling of the skin in two cases, a large posterior fontanelle in two cases and in one baby a prolonged neonatal jaundice.