Summary of the Northwest Regional Hypothyroidism Screening Program

Abstract

In May 1975, the Oregon Public Health Laboratory began screening for hypothyroidism in newborn infants (Buist et al. 1975). This test is performed on the same filter paper dried blood specimen submitted for the phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, tyrosinemia, homocystinuria, and galactosemia screening tests. The Oregon Laboratory performs these screening tests on all newborn infants born in the states of Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada. The combined birth rate of this region is approximately 93 000 births/year. In Oregon, specimens are routinely collected in the first few days of life (average 2.5 days), and a second specimen is routinely collected at 3–6 weeks of age. In Montana, Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada, specimens are collected in the first few days of life with some specimens submitted as routine at 3–6 weeks of age. The purpose of this summary is to present the findings of the Northwest Regional Hypothyroidism Screening Program for the period of May 1975 to July 1978. The cost-benefit aspect of this program is not discussed in this report.