Article Text
Abstract
Introduction UK screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is based on dried blood spot Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Scintigraphy may identify CH subtypes classified as dysplasia, gland in situ (GIS) and ectopia, but is not performed in all centres. We retrospectively investigated the role of scintigraphy to identify CH subtypes in a single tertiary centre cohort.
Methods Babies who screened positive for CH between 2007 and 2017 were studied (n=418 of 534 783). Scintigraphy outcomes were correlated with TSH and levothyroxine dose. GIS patients were analysed for 3-year outcomes.
Results 303 patients started levothyroxine. Scintigraphy demonstrated three subtypes: GIS (n=139, 46%) ectopia (n=84, 28%) and dysplasia (n=80, 26%). Three-year follow up demonstrated permanence in 54% of 37 GIS cases.
Discussion Thyroid scintigraphy differentiates subtypes of CH and suggests a higher than expected proportion of patients with GIS and ectopia. CH is permanent in half of those with GIS.
- thyroid gland
- congenital hypothyroidism
- endocrinology
- scintigraphy
- genetics
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Footnotes
Contributors CW performed all of the data collection and was responsible for writing the paper. IB undertook the statistical analysis and was involved in writing the paper. BH collected the prospective data on blood spot results and was involved in writing the paper. LT was involved in writing the paper. NW reported the majority of the scintigraphy scans included in the study and was involved in writing the paper. LP was involved in writing the paper.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement All data relevant to the study are included in the article.