[Congenital hypothyroidism screening program: preliminary results].

OBJECTIVE: The authors report early results of a screening program for Congenital Hypothyroidism in Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: All the assays (82.709) analysed by Laboratorio Central (LACEN) between July 1993 and December 1994 were studied. A blood sample was collected on filter paper for serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) measurement by fluoroimmunoassay, in triplicate. All children who had persistent abnormal TSH values (cord blood: TSH > 30 micro U/ml; from 2 to 7 days: >20 micro U/ml; older than 7 days: > 10 micro U/ml) were recalled for clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Out of 82.709 infants aged from 0 to 60 days (40% of the deliveries in this period), 304 presented abnormal results of TSH and 34 were confirmed as Congenital Hypothyroidism. The mean age of beginning the treatment was 45 days of life. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence (1:2500) was higher than that observed in other countries, probably because some children had Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, sex prevalence was similar to that described in the literature. Clinical manifestations were inespecific which reinforces the importance of this kind of screening. Efforts have been done to improve the program in order to begin earlier treatment.