Settimg up a regional network to screen newborns for congenital hypothyroidism in Southern province in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, until recently there has been no programme to screen newborns for Congenital Hypothyroidism. The Nuclear Medicine Unit has completed a pilot study in 2006-2007 to assess the feasibility and identify challenges in establishing such programme. Then a regional network on Newborn Screening was established in early 2008 and 4 institutions (2 Base Hospitals and 1 each District and General Hospitals) have already participating in the network. Out of the 1581 newborns screened, one true positive child with Congenital Hypothyroidism was identified. The findings are highlighted to have a national programme on Newborn Screening.

DOI: 10.4038/gmj.v14i1.1177

Galle Medical Journal Vol.14(1) 2009 59-61