ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism [CH] in Madina Al-Munawara region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] and to compare the results with other reported studies. All deliveries conducted at the Ministry of Health Hospitals, Health Centers and Private Hospitals in Madina Al-Munawara region, KSA during the period from 1989 to 1999 were included in this study. Cord blood samples for thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] measurement was used for screening. Out of 200,040 deliveries 193,613 infants were screened for CH during the study period. Forty-six infants had hypothyroidism with an overall prevalence of 1:4208 live births. Thirty-three [72%] of the diagnosed infants were Saudi and 13 [28%] were not Saudi. The male to female ratio was 1:3. The mean age at the start of treatment was 9 days. The screening program based on the initial measurement of TSH in cord blood is detected by nearly 97% of the total infants born in Madina region over 10 years. The overall prevalence of CH was 1:4208 lower than other local studies. Mental retardation can be prevented by neonatal screening program; however, Neonatologists and Pediatricians should remain vigilant in searching for signs and symptoms of CH