Current Status of Newborn Screening for the early Diagnosis of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Newborn screening programs signify early and presymptomatic detection of treatable disorders which authorize commencement of prompt medication to alleviate notable fatality. Newborn screening (NBS) for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has been a successful public health initiative in preventive medicine over the last few decades. Previous pilot (1999-2006) and phase 1 (2006-2011) NBS program in Bangladesh reported an increased incidence compared to global data which urged to initiate a second phase NBS program for the detection of CH. Materials & Methods: Neonates’ blood was collected from the umbilical cord or by heel prick and drawn on the Guthrie filter paper card. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured from this filter paper by Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) or Dissociation Enhanced Lanthanide Fluorescence Immunoassay (DELFIA) method. Results: 123 out of 2,61,550 neonates have already been diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism from September 2018 to August 2020, which represents an incidence of 1:2126. Conclusion: Ongoing phase-2 project data is already showing some optimistic outcomes. Hence, a time-worthy sustainable policy should be implemented to mark this program as an effective one. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 25(1): 15-21, 2022

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“…Bangladesh —The NBS movement for CH was introduced in Bangladesh in 1999 by Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and as a regional project of the IAEA. Studies from local pilots have demonstrated an occasionally effective program suitable for government support/management as part of a policy for combatting congenital diseases [ 431 ]. The screening laboratory at the Nuclear Medicine Institute at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka is a well-equipped NBS center under BAEC with 3–4 peripheral NBS centers (currently inactive).…”

Newborn Screening, Where We Are

“…So routine newborn screening especially for CH should be started in our country. 2,[4][5][6] Incidence rates of ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) ranges from 10% to 46% among low birth weight premature infants. Studies from BSMMU and BSH&I showed incidence of ROP ranges from 24% to 35% in preterm infants.…”