OBJECTIVETo summarize and analyze neonatal screening results for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in parts of Yunnan Province, China.

METHODSA total of 236 218 newborns (121 463 males and 114 755 females) who were born in Zhaotong City, Qujing City, Lijiang City, and Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China, between July 2012 and April 2014 were screened for CH. The original blood smear was re-tested if the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level in heel blood was ≥8 μIU/L in the initial screening. The newborns with positive TSH results were called back for further diagnosis by measuring blood TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) levels.

RESULTSAmong 236 218 newborns, the pass rate of blood smears, re-acquisition rate of unqualified blood smears, and recall rate of suspected cases were 96.67%, 81.75%, and 73.02%, respectively. Sixty-six cases of CH were confirmed, among which 36 were male infants and 30 were female infants (P>0.05). The incidence rate of CH was 1/3 579, which was significantly lower than the national average rate (1/2 034; P<0.01). The gestational age of CH newborns was mostly between 37 to 42 weeks, and only 3% were born at a gestational age of >42 weeks. Most of the CH newborns had normal birth weight. The CH newborns with a body length of <50 cm accounted for 32%.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of CH in Yunnan Province is lower than the national average. There are no specific clinical features in CH newborns. The neonatal screening in Yunnan Province needs further improvement.