Neonatal Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism in Preterm Infants: Is a Targeted Strategy Required?
Authors' conclusion
We observed no significant difference in the recall rate between preterm and at term infants screened in this study. Our current screening strategy therefore appears effective in avoiding misdiagnosis.
Study context
- Population
- All preterm newborns undergoing neonatal screening in Piedmont, Italy, January 2019–December 2021; TSH at 72 hours and 15 days; recall if TSH >20 mUI/L at first and >6 mUI/L at second detectionscreened
- Participants
- 5,930 newborns
- Exposure
- TSH by birthweight and gestational age categories in preterm newborns
- Outcome
- TSH by BW
- Follow-up
- First detection
Methodological detailsregional neonatal screening programme, Piedmont, Italy
- Regional neonatal screening programme
- Piedmont, Italy
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Birthweight (BW) <1000 g
2.08
mean · ± 0.15
BW 1001-1500 g
2.01
mean · ± 0.02
BW 1501-2499 g
2.28
mean · ± 0.03
Normal-weight
2.41
mean · ± 0.03 · mUI/L
P < 0.005
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
TSH by gestational age · first detection — between Extremely preterm and Late preterm · across GA categories
P < 0.005
- TSH by gestational age — Significant between-group TSH differences also at second and third detections
- p < 0.005 and p = 0.01
- TSH by gestational age — Significant difference by BW at second measurement
- p < 0.005
Reference range and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) outcomes
- CH incidence
- 1:156
- Diagnosed with CH
- 38
- Eutopic gland
- 30 (87.9%)
- Transient CH
- 29 (76.8%)
- 99% reference range overlapped recommended recall cutoffs (first 8 mUI/L, second 6 mUI/L)
Original publication
Neonatal Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism in Preterm Infants: Is a Targeted Strategy Required? Thyroid. Published 17 March 2023. doi:10.
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