N Eftekhari - Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Gh Asadikaram - Associate Professor, Biochemistry-Biophysic Department, School of Medicine, Rafsajan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
M Khaksari - Professor of Physiology, School of Medicine and Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Z Salari - Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman Univesity of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
M Ebrahimzadeh - Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

Introduction: Congenital hypothyroidism (C.H) is one of the most common infants’ endocrine diseases and the cause of mental retardation in newborns. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of C.H and it’s relation with neonatal’s sex, birth weight and height and mothers’ age, gestational age, parents’ educational level, past medical history of thyroid disease in mother and family and consumption of Iodine salt by mother. Methods: A Total of ۳۰۰۰ neonates aged ۲-۵ days were screened from November ۲۰۰۵ to July ۲۰۰۶. Specimen collection and transportation to lab were performed according to NCCLS and Wisconsin newborn screening program guidelines. Thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH) concentration in dried blood spot was determined quantitatively using ELISA technique. Results: From ۳۰۰۰ neonates, ۲۳ cases (۰.۸%) had TSH≥۲۰ mIU/L that were recalled for verification of C.H. Of them, ۱۳ cases (۵۶%) were male and ۱۰ cases (۴۴%) were female. All of ۲۳ infants were detected during ۱-۲ months after birth and ۳ of them had serum TSH≥۱۰ mIU/L. According to the protocol of kit they were considered as hypothyroidism cases and were referred for treatment. Conclusion: Considering the importance of congenital hypothyroidism in mental retardation, neonatal screening programs are of high importance. In this study, the prevalence of the disease was ۱ in ۱۰۰۰ that is more than that in developed countries.Therefore, it should be considered as one of the hygienic priorities in our country.

Congenital hypothyroidism, Neonatal screening, Thyrotropin, Kerman