Humayun Iqbal Khan.
Mandatory newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism.
Pak Paed J Jan ;34(3):121-2.

One of the most common endocrine diseases in paediatric age group is hypothyroidism. Childhood hypothyroidism may be present a birth (congenital) or it may be acquired. Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation. Severe developmental and physical morbidities may result from failure to diagnose this condition early. The disastrous consequences of congenital hypothyroidism occur as clinical features of this condition may be subtle and easily missed or may not be evident in the neonatal period and the diagnosis may remain obscured. Hence most infants with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal at birth in spite of the deficiency of thyroid hormones which are important for development of many organ systems especially the brain. (Editorial)

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