The implementation of revised guidelines and the performance of a screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism

ObjectivesTo see whether revised screening standards and health-professional training are associated with changes in the performance of a neonatal screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism (CHT).MethodsScreening data from the regional screening service in Durham and Newcastle, which covers north-east England and North Cumbria.SettingWe assessed the timing of the different stages of the screening process leading up to the introduction of the revised guidelines between April 2004 and March 2005 (year 1) and afterwards between April 2005 and March 2006 (year 2) in all babies notified as having CHT. We also assessed the interval between sampling and specimen arrival in the laboratory at the beginning and end of year 2 in all babies screened.ResultsTwenty-three babies tested positive or borderline in year 1 and 18 babies in year 2. There was reduced variability in the overall time from birth to notification in year 2 versus year 1 (P = 0.001). This reduction was a consequence of a reduced interval betw...