[Comparison of urine and milk iodine concentration among congenitally hypothyroid neonates and their mothers and a control group]

Although Iran is known as an iodine sufficient area, congenital hypothyroidism [CH] is prevalent. Because iodine excess can contribute to hypothyroidism we evaluated the role of iodine excess and ID in the etiology of CH. In a cross sectional study UICs [Urine Iodine Concentration] in newborns with CH as well as UIC and MIC [Milk Iodine Concentration] of their mothers were compared with a control group. After acid digestion of urine samples milk samples, iodine concentrations were determined by the Sandell-Kolthoff method. Chi-square and Wilcoxon, and Pearson correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The median of MIC of CH [n=68] and healthy subjects [n=179] was different [210 vs. 170 micro g/L respectively, P<0.05]. However the median of UIC in neonates and those of mother's of CH and healthy subjects were not different statistically [305 vs. 300 micro g/L and 150 vs. 130 micro g/L respectively, P>0.05]; 71.2% and 46.7% of mothers of hypothyroid and healthy subjects had MICs above 180 micro g/I [iodine excess] respectively [p=0.002]. Based on the higher levels of MIC in mothers of CH neonates, iodine excess could be a possible risk factor for CH. Since however comparison of UIC between the control and neonate groups showed no differences, further investigations are needed to facilitate deeper insight into and clarification of the etiology of CH

[Usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the etiology of congenital hypothyroidism comparing with radioisotope scanning]

Congenital hypothyroidism [CH] is the most prevalent preventable cause of mental retardation. Since it is impossible to determine the etiology of CH by biochemical tests per se, imaging modalities of thyroid gland are used to evaluate the morphology and function of this gland and among them radionuclide scanning is currently the gold standard. Considering the limitations of time and accessibility of radioisotope scanning and benefits and faults of ultrasonography in determination of etiology of CH, the aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of sonography as compared to the gold standard imaging method of scintigraphy, in the diagnosis of etiology of primary congenital hypothyroidism in the screening program of Isfahan. This study was conducted from May 2002-February 2007. In order to compare ultrasonography to thyroid scintigraphy for etiologic diagnosis of CH, 102 CH newborns examined by both thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasonography were included in this study. The ultrasonographic findings were compared with the standard-of-reference scintigraphic findings and the sensitivity, specificity of the ultrasonography were determined. According to results of the ultrasonography 63, 27, 3 and 9 infants had normal thyroid glands, agenesia, ectopia and hypoplasia respectively and based on scintigraphic results 57, 36 and 9 of them had normal thyroid gland, agenesia and ectopia respectively. Ultrasound detected sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, LR+ and LR- were 86%, 86%, 90%, 90%, 6.1 and 0.16 respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography compared with thyroid scintigraphy in diagnosis of thyroid gland ectopia was 33% and 100% respectively. Although calculated sensitivity and specificity of this method was not equal to those of thyroid radioisotope scanning but had an acceptable range, thyroid ultrasonography is a relatively appropriate imaging tool for diagnosing thyroid dysgenesia. Hence ultrasonography can be used as the first imaging tool for diagnosing CH, especially when the family prefers not to have the infant scanned

Thyroid autoantibodies in women with and without thyroid disorders in an iodine-replete area

To compare the prevalence of positive autoantibodies in patients with thyroid disorders and healthy subjects in an iodine-replete area of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we studied 930 women in a clinic-based study: 698 patients [286 hypothyroid, 140 hyperthyroid, 272 with simple goitre] and 232 healthy women. Serum thyroxine [T4], triiodothyronine [T3], thyroid stimulating hormone, and antithyroid antibodies were measured. Positive autoantibodies were detected in 75.5% of patients with hypothyroidism, 73.6% of those with hyperthyroidism, 48.9% of those with simple goitre and 35.8% of the control group [P < 0.001]. Autoimmunity may have a role in the genesis of common thyroid disorders

[ prevalence of thyroid pathological lesions of in 202 autopsic samples obtained at Isfahan forensic medicine center]

Considering the influence of geographical, genetic and ethnic factors on the prevalence of thyroid pathological lesions, this study was performed to assess the prevalence of pathological lesions in thyroid autopsic samples obtained from adult cadavers of Isfahan Forensic Medical Center. In this study, 202 thyroid glands from cadavers with no evidence of thyroid diseases, removed during autopsies at Isfahan Forensic Medicine Center, were analyzed. After gross studies, thyroid glands were fixed in 5% formalin for 72 hrs, and then 3-6 sections were obtained from each gland. Tissue sections were microscopically studied by two pathologists for histopathological lesions. Among 202 thyroid glands [removed from 159 males and 43 females], 131[64.85%] were histopathologically normal, and goiter [nodular, and diffuse], Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lymphocytic thyroiditis, follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma were observed in 41 [20.3%], 10 [4.95%], 12 [5.94%], 2 [1.49%] and 12 [5.94%] of the thyroid glands, respectively. Twenty-six glands [12.23%] had nodules sized