Congenital Hypothyroidism in Kuwait

During a 7-year period (1981-1987), 25 children with congenital hypothyroidism were diagnosed in a regional hospital in Kuwait. The calculated incidence was 1:3476 live births. The diagnosis relied on clinical manifestation and confirmed by thyroid function tests. Thyroid scan was performed for 13 patients, four had thyroid aplasia, three had ectopia, and six had thyroid in normal position. Mental development was the best in the children who received thyroid hormone replacement in the first 6 months of life