Kochi: Doctors feel that although the state government has mandated newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in September 2012, awareness levels remain low among the public while many private hospitals too are not aware of its import. Congenital hypothyroidism means that a baby is not producing enough thyroid hormone to mentally and physically develop normally. Worldwide congenital hypothyroidism affects 1 in 3,800 new born babies while reports from India state that the situation is much worse with a figure of 1 in 2,640.
Of the 1.4 lakh newborns screened within the programme from February 2013 to July 2015, 70 babies were detected with congenital hypothyroidism in Kerala. Speaking at a seminar on the topic here, Dr Nisha Bhavani, Consultant Endocrinologist, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi said, “If CH is detected in newborn, giving Levothyroxine tablet, priced just Rs 1, can help lead a fulfilled life with normal physical growth and psychological development. The most important thing is to start the treatment for CH at the earliest. If the treatment is not given in the first month of birth, there could be 20% to 30% mental retardation and it can’t be treated. Kerala is the first state in India to introduce newborn screening.”
Dr Jayaprakash P, Consultant Endocrinologist, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi said it is important to sensitize rural population on CH, where the awareness is low. Dr Joe George, Consultant Endocrinologist Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut, said though government hospitals mandatorily undertake newborn screening, private hospitals need to do the same.
