National neonatal hypothyroid screening program in Mongolia.

ABSTRACT

This study was motivated by the desire to identify patients with congenital hypothyroidism for early treatment. A pilot project was developed by the Department of Nuclear Medicine and initial screening was began at 2 of the maternity houses in Ulaanbaatar. The methodology used for these activities involved collecting samples by heel prick at 3-4 days of age and analysed for TSH by immunoradiometric testing (Skybio Ltd, United Kingdom). From July 2000 to September 2001, 1,529 babies were screened. Although there were no positive screens from neonatal screening, TSH was high and T4 was low in 2 cases referred by the endocrinologist and therefore leading to treatment. The programme appears to be of important significance to the country and thus committed to further improving the implementation of the program.