FREQUENCY OF CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PRETERM AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES

Abstract

Abstract

Objective

To find frequency of congenital hypothyroidism in preterm and low birth weight neonates admitted at neonatal unit.

Study design: Cross sectional study

Place & Duration of study: The study was done at neonatal ICU department of Paediatrics ,Lahore General Hospital from Jan 6, 2018 till July 6, 2018

Patients & Methods :225 neonates were taken from the neonatal unit of department of Paediatrics Lahore General Hospital. After taking informed consent form parents of neonates their demographic data including name, age, sex, weight, gestational age, and contact details were recorded. After aseptic measures, 2-3 ml venous blood was taken and sent to Hospital Laboratory for TSH level, where it was analyzed by immunoradiometric assay. Congenital hypothyroidism was diagnosed as per operational definition. All data was recorded by researcher himself on prescribed proforma

Results 

The mean age of cases was 17.76 ± 6.40 days with minimum and maximum age as 8 and 28 days. There were 116(51.6%) male and 109(48.4%) female cases. The mean gestational age was 33.10 ± 1.98 weeks with minimum and maximum gestational age as 30 and 36 weeks. The mean birth weight was 1846.27 ± 330.58 g with minimum and maximum birth weight as 1211 and 2397 g. Congenital hypothyroidism was seen in 27(12%) of the cases while 198(88%) of the neonates were euthyroid.

Conclusion  

Through the findings of this study the frequency of congenital hypothyroidism was seen in 27(12%), that seems to be high. So, screening programs of congenital hypothyroidism should be established for better management of the disorder and preventing its related neurodevelopmental consequences.

Keywords: Low birth weight, preterm, Neonatal screening, Congenital hypothyroidism, thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)