“COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN NEONATES BORN IN UTTAR PRADESH: A PILOT STUDY”
*Tiwari Vandana Ph. D, Husain Nuzhat MD, Awasthi P Namrata MD and Pandey M. Chinta Ph. D.
ABSTRACT
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has long been recognized as a cause of mental retardation. Untreated, CH has devastating effects on growth and development of infants. Therefore present study was aimed to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism in neonates in our population and to determine whether a new-born screening for CH is cost-beneficial from a societal perspective. Heel puncture blood was obtained from neonates born in department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at RMLCH after 48 hours of birth for screening of CH. Family history of thyroid disease, and other obstetric and relevant family history was recorded for each neonate. A commercial TSH assay was done for detection and specimens with TSH concentrations >20mIU/L were considered to suggest CH and additional follow-up testing was pursued. Incidence was estimated, costs for the detection and treatment of abnormality was compared to the projected benefits of preventing the mental retardation and consequent productivity losses. Out of 1210 neonates screened three were found positive for Congenital Hypothyroidism. Mother of two of these neonates was suffering from hypothyroidism and one was normal. The prevalence of Congenital Hypothyroidism in our study was 3/1,210 (approximately one per 400 live births during the period of study). Detection of CH with timely testing in neonates confirms the diagnosis and allows early treatment within a time frame that prevents mental retardation and maximizes a positive health outcome and quality of life.
Keywords: Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH); Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
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