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Teixeira Palla Braga N, Vilela Antunes JM, Colosimo EA, Alves Dias VM, Januário JN, Novato Silva I. Impact of Lowering TSH Cut-Off on Neonatal Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Int J Neonatal Screen 2024; 10:52. [PMID: 39051408 PMCID: PMC11270361 DOI: 10.3390/ijns10030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A higher incidence of primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has been related to increased sensitivity in neonatal screening tests. The benefit of treatment in mild cases remains a topic of debate. We evaluated the impact of reducing the blood-spot TSH cut-off (b-TSH) from 10 (Group 2) to 6 mIU/L (Group 1) in a public neonatal screening program. During the study period, 40% of 123 newborns with CH (n = 162,729; incidence = 1:1323) had b-TSH between 6 and 10 mIU/L. Group 1 patients had fewer clinical signs (p = 0.02), lower serum TSH (p < 0.01), and higher free T4 (p < 0.01) compared to those in Group 2 at diagnosis. Reducing the b-TSH cut-off from 10 to 6 mIU/L increased screening sensitivity, allowing a third of diagnoses, mainly mild cases, not being missed. However, when evaluating the performances of b-TSH cut-offs (6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 mIU/L), the lower values were associated with low positive predictive values (PPVs) and unacceptable increased recall rates (0.57%) for a public health care program. A proposed strategy is to adopt a higher b-TSH cut-off in the first sample and a lower one in the subsequent samples from the same child, which yields a greater number of diagnoses with an acceptable PPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Teixeira Palla Braga
- Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil; (J.M.V.A.); (V.M.A.D.)
| | - Jáderson Mateus Vilela Antunes
- Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil; (J.M.V.A.); (V.M.A.D.)
| | - Enrico Antônio Colosimo
- Department of Statistics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Vera Maria Alves Dias
- Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil; (J.M.V.A.); (V.M.A.D.)
| | - José Nélio Januário
- Center for Actions and Research in Diagnostic Support (NUPAD in Portuguese), Medicine Internal Department/Medical School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil;
| | - Ivani Novato Silva
- Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Pediatrics Department/Medical School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil;
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Simonetti S, D'Amato G, Esposito B, Chiarito M, Dentico D, Lorè T, Cardinali R, Russo S, Laforgia N, Faienza MF. Congenital hypothyroidism after newborn screening program reorganization in the Apulia region. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:131. [PMID: 35906638 PMCID: PMC9335966 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01328-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most frequent congenital endocrine disorder. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and etiological classification of CH in Apulia in a three-year period according to the reorganization of the regional screening program in a single central laboratory, as well as to analyze the growth characteristics and the associated risk factors of the CH newborns diagnosed during the study period. Methods Data derived from the reorganization of the newborn screening program for CH in a single central laboratory that collects dried blood spot (DBS) from 27 Maternity Hospitals are analyzed over a three-year period. Birth weight and length, daily dose of L-T4 at specific key points (3, 6, 12 and 18 months, 2, 2.5 and 3 years) were also obtained from medical records of the CH newborns during the study period and calculated as standard deviation score (SDS). Results The screening program diagnosed 90 newborns with confirmed CH (incidence 1:990; recall rate: 3.6%). In detail, 75.6% newborns had an eutopic thyroid, and 24.4% had thyroid dysgenesis; 33 out of the 90 newborns (36.6%) had one or more risk factors. Among these, the multiple pregnancies are the most important because they tripled the risk of CH. At diagnosis, TSH levels were different between patients with dysgenesis and those with an eutopic thyroid (p = 0.005). Treatment was started at a mean of 18.5 ± 12.8 days of life. The mean starting dose of levothyroxine (L-T4) was 11.38 ± 2.46 μg/kg/day. Conclusions The results of these study show an increase of CH cases in newborns with an eutopic thyroid compared to the traditional classification. The centralization of the screening program allows a closer cooperation between laboratory and clinical centers and facilitates the implementation of appropriate diagnostic evaluations and timely initiation of treatment, with positive effects on the management of the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Simonetti
- Clinical Pathology and Neonatal Screening, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Benedetta Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Pediatric Unit, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Chiarito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Pediatric Unit, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Tania Lorè
- Clinical Pathology and Neonatal Screening, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Cardinali
- Clinical Pathology and Neonatal Screening, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Russo
- Clinical Pathology and Neonatal Screening, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Laforgia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Pediatric Unit, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
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Rosettenstein KR, Lain SJ, Wormleaton N, Jack MM. A systematic review of the outcomes of false-positive results on newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2021; 95:766-781. [PMID: 34302303 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The potential of harm to infants or their parents from a false positive (FP) newborn screening (NBS) result for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is often cited as an argument against lowering of screening thresholds for CH. This systematic review (SR) examines the evidence of harm and factors that possibly contribute. STUDY DESIGN PRISMA guidelines were followed and the protocol was registered online (Prospero, ID CRD42019123950, 20 August 2019) before the search was conducted. Multiple electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Articles were included/excluded based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Included articles were appraised for quality, using the relevant Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Data were extracted and results were tabulated and summarised as part of a narrative synthesis. RESULTS A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria. All were qualitative and three were based on the same cohort. Studies were published between 1983 and 1996. CASP appraisals scored 2/6 studies as moderate quality and 4/6 as low quality. Studies reported that FP results on CH screening may cause initial stress for parents and poorly defined behavioural disturbance in a small number of children, though these effects were generally not long-lasting. Poor screening processes and inadequate communication with parents, increased the risk of harm to parents and children, from FP results. CONCLUSION This SR found a small number of dated, qualitative studies of low to moderate quality, conducted soon after the initiation of NBS for CH. Conclusive evidence of the risks of harm from FP results and ways to mitigate harm, awaits further, well-designed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri R Rosettenstein
- Department of Neonatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Kerri R. Rosettenstein, Department of Endocrinology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samantha J Lain
- Child Population and Translational Health Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Wormleaton
- Douglas Piper Library, Northern Sydney Local Health District Libraries, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle M Jack
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Northern Clinical School, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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Mehran L, Khalili D, Yarahmadi S, Delshad H, Mehrabi Y, Amouzegar A, Ajang N, Azizi F. Evaluation of the congenital hypothyroidism screening programme in Iran: a 3-year retrospective cohort study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2019. [PMID: 29540462 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-313720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the newborn screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Iran from diagnosis to management and follow-up for 3 years from 2011 to 2014. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING AND PATIENTS Seventeen university districts were randomly selected from 30 provinces. Central data in each district were gathered and collectively analysed. Congenital hypothyroid subjects were followed for 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Programme coverage, screening and treatment age, recall rate, compliance to follow-ups. RESULTS The total number of births in 2011 was 501 726, of which 452 918 neonates (90.3%) were screened and 15 671 (3.46%) were recalled; 1085 (1:462, 0.22%) were confirmed as having CH (57.1%: permanent, 42.9%: transient) and followed for 3 years. Positive predictive value (PPV) for the first screening test was 6.9%. After the second screening, recall rate was reduced to 0.69% and PPV increased to 31.3%. Median age at screening was 6 (3-9) days and for 90.6% of patients treatment was initiated before 40 days of age with a median levothyroxine dosage of 25 µg/day; 131 (13.4%) were lost to follow-up. Mean number of follow-up visits over 3 years was 5.7 (95% CI 5.5 to 5.9) and 23% (n=225) had total compliance to all follow-ups. Median time for thyroid stimulating hormone normalisation was 45 days, 95% CI (41.1 to 48.8). CONCLUSION In Iran, despite well-established protocols of screening and detecting CH subjects, stricter implementation of a structured system for monitoring and surveillance is needed to promote the management of patients and to reduce rates of loss to follow-up. Determining and addressing the causes of high false positive rates must be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Mehran
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Davood Khalili
- Prevention of Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Shahin Yarahmadi
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Office, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hossein Delshad
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Yadollah Mehrabi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Atieh Amouzegar
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Nasrin Ajang
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Office, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
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Mehran L, Yarahmadi S, Khalili D, Nazeri P, Delshad H, Abdollahi Z, Azhang N, Azizi F. The Impact of Iodine Status on the Recall Rate of the Screening Program for Congenital Hypothyroidism: Findings from Two National Studies in Iran. Nutrients 2017; 9:E1194. [PMID: 29084139 PMCID: PMC5707666 DOI: 10.3390/nu9111194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Back ground: Iodine deficiency is one of the important factors in increasing the recall rate in congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening programs. The present study assessed whether the iodine status of the general population may predict the recall rate or vice versa. METHODS In the current national study, among 1,382,229 live births delivered between March 2010 and March 2011, 1,288,237 neonates were screened for detecting CH by TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) measurement via heel prick sampling. Simultaneously, a total of 11,280 school-aged children, aged 7-8 years, were selected using random multi-cluster sampling for measurement of urinary iodine. RESULTS A negative correlation was found between median urinary iodine (MUI) and the recall rate (r = -0.33, p = 0.03). No correlation was found between MUIC (median urinary iodine concentration) and the incidence rate of CH. Linear regression analysis showed a 0.1% increase in the recall rate for a one unit decrease in MUIC (β = -0.11, 95% CI: -0.2, -0.1, p = 0.03). MUIC, at a cut-off point of 144.7 µg/L, was predictive for a recall rate < 3% (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION Frequencies of TSH ≥ 5 mU/L may be a more sensitive indicator for iodine status during pregnancy rather than in the general population. As higher recall rates reflect inadequate iodine nutrition, sufficient iodine supplementation is needed to reduce the recall rate in such communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Mehran
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahin Yarahmadi
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Office, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, 1419943471,Tehran, Iran.
| | - Davood Khalili
- Prevention of Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Pantea Nazeri
- Family Health Institute, Breastfeeding Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,1419943471, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Delshad
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Abdollahi
- Nutrition Office, Iran Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, 1419943471, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nasrin Azhang
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Office, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, 1419943471,Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
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Butler AM, Charoensiriwatana W, Krasao P, Pankanjanato R, Thong-Ngao P, Polson RC, Snow G, Ehrenkranz J. Newborn Thyroid Screening: Influence of Pre-Analytic Variables on Dried Blood Spot Thyrotropin Measurement. Thyroid 2017; 27:1128-1134. [PMID: 28810813 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measuring thyrotropin (TSH) eluted from a dried blood spot (DBS) is used to screen an estimated 30 million newborns annually for congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Newborn thyroid screening has eliminated cretinism from the industrialized world and decreased the adverse effects of unrecognized CH on neurocognitive development. Hematocrit, a pre-analytic variable that affects the measurement of TSH from a DBS, contributes to the imprecision of DBS TSH measurement and could account for false-negative and false-positive DBS newborn screening test results. To assess whether variations in hematocrit found in newborns have a clinical effect in DBS-based newborn thyroid screening, the effects of hematocrit variability on the measurement of DBS TSH were studied. METHODS U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention procedures for manufacturing DBS performance testing standards were used to generate DBSs from blood samples, with hematocrits of 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, and 65% and serum TSH concentrations of 6.3 ± 0.4 and 26.6 ± 8.0 mIU/L. TSH was measured in the eluates of four replicate DBS 3 mm punches at each hematocrit using the Thailand Ministry of Public Health Newborn Screening Operation Center enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS Based on the mixed-effects model, hematocrit significantly affected DBS TSH measurement (p < 0.001). A 1% increase in hematocrit resulted in a 0.06 mIU/L decrease in eluate TSH when TSH was 6.3 + 0.4 mIU/L, and a 0.21 mIU/L decrease in eluate TSH when TSH was 26.6 + 8.0 mIU/L. CONCLUSIONS DBS TSH is significantly affected by the blood sample hematocrit. The pre-analytic variability due to hematocrit is independent of TSH assay sensitivity, specificity, precision, repeatability, and reference intervals. The effect of hematocrit on DBS TSH measurement is clinically relevant, could account for geographic and ethnic variation in the incidence of CH, and may result in both false-positive and false-negative CH screening results. Individual newborn and population-specific hematocrit correction factors may improve the precision of DBS TSH measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Butler
- 1 Statistical Data Center , Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Piamnukul Krasao
- 2 Newborn Screening Operation Center , Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Penpan Thong-Ngao
- 2 Newborn Screening Operation Center , Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Randall C Polson
- 3 Research Laboratories, i-calQ LLC , Salt Lake City, Utah
- 4 Nanofab Laboratory, University of Utah , Nanofab Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Gregory Snow
- 1 Statistical Data Center , Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Joel Ehrenkranz
- 3 Research Laboratories, i-calQ LLC , Salt Lake City, Utah
- 5 Department of Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah
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Fualal J, Ehrenkranz J. Access, availability, and infrastructure deficiency: The current management of thyroid disease in the developing world. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2016; 17:583-589. [PMID: 27565137 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-016-9376-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid disease, a neglected tropical disease and the most common noncommunicable disease in the developing world, is overlooked, under-diagnosed, and inadequately managed. The spectrum of thyroid disorders in the developing world is qualitatively different from that found in industrialized countries. This qualitative difference has resulted in limited access to clinical, laboratory, and imaging resources that are necessary for the care of patients with thyroid disease. The management of thyroid disease in the developing world is comparable to the care provided for disorders of the thyroid in North America fifty years ago.This article reviews public health and clinical aspects of developing world medical and surgical thyroid disease. Topics covered include iodine deficiency disorders, congenital hypothyroidism, goiter, thyroid cancer, and hyper- and hypothyroidism. The review concludes with a description of programs based on smartphone technology to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of thyroid disease care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Fualal
- Department of Surgery, Mulago Hospital, Makerere University Faculty of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda
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Abstract
Overt thyroid dysfunction is documented by serum thyrotropin or T4 concentrations are often ordered for nonspecific complaints and will by definition fall outside of the 95% reference range 5% of the time. In addition, most laboratories quote adult ranges, which are not necessarily applicable to young children, and regression toward the mean is common, justifying that the test be repeated before embarking on treatment. On the other hand, neck ultrasounds are frequently performed for diffuse goiter or non-thyroid conditions. Yet, an ultrasound is not required to make a diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis and small cysts and nodules discovered incidentally often lead to unjustified concerns about neoplasia.
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