ASSESSMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM SCREENING PROGRAM, IN SARDASHT CITY FROM 2008 TO 2014: A SEQUENTIAL CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most prevalent hormone disorders and the most important preventable cause of mental retardation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of congenital hypothyroidism screening program in Sardasht from 2008 to 2014.
In this sequential cross sectional study, after making the necessary arrangements and obtaining permission from the Department of Health, the data related to 10950 infants with congenital hypothyroidism during 2008 to 2014 were gathered and assessed by census method using specific forms related to the disease. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS program version 21. The P-value Of 17245 newborns, 17074 were screened and 171 ones were not. On the whole, the data for 10950 newborns were accessible (5582 boy, 5363 girls).The results showed that the coverage rate of screening program was %99, recall rate %4.5 and prevalence rate 6.6 per 1000. And 2% of blood samples sent to laboratory did not satisfy the criteria. The average time of treatment for confirmed cases was 26.74 days after birth.
Screening program identified 114 patients during the seven years of the study period and also with 100% coverage rate and treatment of confirmed cases; it has been effective and operated successfully in order to reduce physical disabilities and mental disorders. Some indicators still need to be considered such as the time of first sampling and average time to onset the treatment. In this regard, more effort is needed to achieve the ultimate goal of the screening program.