[Investigation of the risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism in the newborns in Kurdistan Province]

Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the important preventable causes of mental retardation in newborns. Incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in Kurdistan province is more than its mean Incidence in Iran and in the world. The present study was performed to identify the risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism in Kurdistan province. This case - control study included all the newborns with TSH screening tests >10 mIU/l in Kurdistan Province. Another group of neonates were selected as our control group. Analysis was performed by means of chi-square, t- test and logistic regression. Our study included 105 patients, 66 [62.9%] boys and 39 [37.1%] girls. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in regard to weight, height, head circumference, mother's BMI and maternal parity. Univariate analysis revealed that family history of thyroid diseases had a significant relationship with congenital hypothyroidism in the newborns [P= 0.019]. However multivariate analysis showed no significant association between the factors in our study and risk of congenital hypothyroidism. A history of thyroid disease among family members may be associated with congenital hypothyroidism. Therefore, family history of thyroid diseases should be regarded as a risk factor and included in the maternal control program