Objective To describe the Dutch neonatal screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Design Descriptive study. Method Data on neonatal screening for CH in the period 1 January 1981 through 31 December 2011 were obtained from the Department for Vaccine Supply and Prevention Programmes of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), laboratories and paediatricians to whom babies with abnormal screening results were referred. The screening procedure has been amended several times. In the period 1981-1994, only T4 and TSH were measured in heel prick blood, for example. From 1995, thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) was added to the screening protocol. Results The participation rate was 99.7%. Before 1995 the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 94%, 99.51% and 6%, respectively. From 1995 these percentages were 98%, 99.85% and 21%, respectively. The total prevalence of CH was 1:2670 (prevalence of CH of thyroidal origin was 1:3100 and CH of central origin was 1:21,600). The percentages of patients with severe CH treated before day 15 in the periods 1981-1990, 1991-2000 and 2001-2011 were 24% (63/263), 63% (170/269) and 96% (176/184), respectively. Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of the screening procedure has considerably increased since 1995 compared with the period before 1995. In recent years patients with severe CH were treated considerably earlier than in the first years of the screening. Neonatal screening for CH may be considered as an important success for public health care. Conflict of interest and financial support for this article: P.H. Verkerk reported that TNO carries out the annual monitoring and assessment of the screening for the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and therefore receives funds, etc. for the collection of data.
Doel Beschrijving van de Nederlandse neonatale screening op congenitale hypothyreoïdie (CH). Opzet Descriptief onderzoek. Methode We verzamelden gegevens over de neonatale screening op CH in de periode 1 januari 1981-31 december 2011 van de Dienst Vaccinvoorziening en Preventieprogramma’s van het RIVM, van laboratoria en van kinderartsen naar wie pasgeborenen met een afwijkende uitslag werden verwezen. De screeningsprocedure werd verscheidene keren bijgesteld. In de periode 1981-1994 werden bijvoorbeeld alleen de waarden van T4 en TSH bepaald uit het hielprikkaartje. Vanaf 1995 werd ook de waarde van thyroxinebindend globuline (TBG) meegenomen. Resultaten De deelname was 99,7%. Tot 1995 was de sensitiviteit 94%, de specificiteit 99,51% en de positief voorspellende waarde 6%; vanaf 1995 was dit respectievelijk 98%, 99,85% en 21%. De totale prevalentie van CH was 1:2670 (prevalentie CH van thyreoïdale oorsprong: 1:3100 en centrale CH: 1:21.600). De percentages kinderen met ernstige CH bij wie in de perioden 1981-1990, 1991-2000 en 2001-2011 vóór de 15e levensdag met thyroxinebehandeling werd gestart, waren respectievelijk 24 (63/263), 63 (170/269) en 96 (176/184). Conclusie De sensitiviteit en specificiteit van het screeningsprogramma is vanaf 1995 aanzienlijk hoger dan vóór 1995. In de recente jaren worden patiënten met ernstige CH aanzienlijk vroeger behandeld dan in de beginjaren. De neonatale screening op CH kan als een belangrijk succes van de openbare gezondheidszorg worden beschouwd.