[Hyperthyrotropinemia in Mexican newborns]

Salud Publica Mex. 2003 Jul-Aug;45(4):269-75. doi: 10.1590/s0036-36342003000400005.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the differences in the blood concentration levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone and their possible use as an indicator of iodine sufficiency, in a sample of Mexican newborns.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1999 to August 2000, among 25,427 Mexican newborns in the Ministry of Health clinics from 5 states. A total of 8,095 heel-prick and 17,332 umbilical cord blood samples were analyzed. Blood samples were collected in filter paper and processed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Hyperthyrotropinemia was found in 9.95% of heel samples and in 24.27% of umbilical cord samples (TSH > 5 microUl/ml).

Conclusions: The percentage of hyperthyrotropinemia observed in this study was higher than that expected in a population with sufficient iodine intake; these findings could be due to poor maternal iodine intake.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood*
  • Hypothyroidism / diagnosis
  • Hypothyroidism / prevention & control
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Neonatal Screening*
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Thyrotropin / deficiency*

Substances

  • Thyrotropin