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OBJECTIVE: Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism began in Western Australia in 1981. We describe the epidemiology, including trends over time. METHODOLOGY: Population-based registers and databases were used to identify cases of congenital hypothyroidism in 1981-1998 (n = 126), a random sample of controls (n = 1260), and descriptive data on cases and controls. The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism per 10 000 live births was calculated, and a case-control analysis conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was 1.74 per 10 000 in the period 1981-1987, compared with 3.54 per 10 000 between 1988 and 1998. Infants identified with congenital hypothyroidism were significantly more likely to have other birth defects (particularly heart defects), be female, have a birthweight heavier than 4500 g, and be born either preterm or after 41 weeks gestation. No cases had cerebral palsy or intellectual disability. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based registers and linked databases can provide very useful information for evaluating screening programmes, and extending our knowledge of the epidemiology of congenital hypothyroidism.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Paediatr Child Health

Publication Date

04/2002

Volume

38

Pages

187 - 191

Keywords

Abnormalities, Multiple, Adult, Case-Control Studies, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Ethnic Groups, Female, Humans, Hypothyroidism, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Neonatal Screening, Population Surveillance, Pregnancy, Prevalence, Registries, Western Australia