[Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Benefits and costs of a successful public health program]

Incidence and associated risk factors of congenital hypothyroidism among newborns in Hainan, China: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in newborns in Hainan Province, China, to provide a reference for early and effective prevention strategies.

METHODS

Newborns born in Hainan Province from 2017 to 2021 were the subjects of this study. Time-resolved immunofluorescence was used for initial screening and chemiluminescence for confirmatory diagnosis. Based on the diagnosis, newborns were classified into CH and non-CH groups. Statistical analysis was conducted on the initial screening and confirmed CH cases in newborns in Hainan Province, and potential risk factors for CH were explored.

RESULTS

From 2017 to 2021, a total of 585,886 newborns were screened, revealing 6,856 initial positive results, 614 positive rescreens, and 420 confirmed CH cases, yielding an incidence rate of 1/1,395 (420/585,886). The annual initial positive screening rate of newborns in Hainan Province showed a rising trend from 2017 to 2021 (p=0.000). No significant differences were found regarding gender (p=0.400) and ethnicity (p=0.836). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that residing in coastal areas, especially those with salt fields (OR=2.151, 95 % CI: 1.364-3.390), was risk factors for the development of CH in newborns.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CH in newborns showed a year-on-year increase in Hainan Province from 2017 to 2021. Residing in coastal areas, particularly those with salt fields, was identified as a risk factor for the development of CH.

Cost-Effectiveness of Newborn Screening for Phenylketonuria and Congenital Hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term costs and health effects of the Swedish newborn screening program for classic phenylketonuria (PKU) alone and in combination with congenital hypothyroidism compared with no screening.

STUDY DESIGN

A decision-analytic model was developed to estimate and compare the long-term (80 years) costs and health effects of newborn screening for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism. Data were obtained from the literature and translated to Swedish conditions. A societal perspective was taken, including costs falling on health care providers, municipal care and services, as well as production loss due to morbidity.

RESULTS

Screening 100 000 newborns for PKU resulted in 73 gained quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with no screening. When adding congenital hypothyroidism, the number of gained QALYs was 232 compared with PKU alone, adding up to a total of 305 QALYs gained. Corresponding cost estimates were $80.8, $70.3, and $10.05 million USD for no screening, PKU screening, and PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism screening, respectively, indicating that screening for PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism was more effective and less costly compared with the other strategies. The majority of cost savings with PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism screening was due to reductions in productivity losses and municipal care and services costs.

CONCLUSION

The Swedish newborn screening program for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism saves substantial costs for society while generating additional QALYs, emphasizing the importance of public investments in early diagnosis and treatment.

Newborn Screening in Pediatric Endocrine Disorders

Two endocrine disorders, congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), when untreated, can have devastating, irreversible and fatal outcomes. Permanent cognitive impairment, growth failure and dysmorphic appearance are seen in congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and early infant death in males with salt wasting CAH (as most females are discovered by presence of atypical genital appearance, while males appeared normal). Newborn screening (NBS) for CH was developed with broader engagement of centers, and was more rapidly adopted throughout the US and other large or developed countries, while NBS for CAH was pioneered by relatively few and was not fully adopted in the US until the initiation of Universal Expanded Newborn Screening Panel in 2005. Advances in genetic understanding of CH and CAH continue with NBS. Cost–benefit analysis, showing CH NBS as more successful than CAH NBS, may not fully recognize the cost of a life saved with CAH NBS. Early treatment of CH is much simpler with taking a pill a day unlike CAH requiring multiple medication doses, and possibly surgery apart from enteral and parenteral stress doses during adrenal crisis. CAH management outcomes with gender identity matters in persons with atypical genital appearance and androgen effects are still being studied.