Health dept proposes screening centres for hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that occurs due to lack of thyroid hormone, which is usually transferred from the thyroid gland of the mother. It can result in cardiacdisorders, body temperature issues and metabolism disruption.

Hyperplasia is the enlargement of a tissue due to an increase in the reproduction rate of the cells.

“Within 24 hours of birth, the blood samples of the newborns will be collected by drawing blood from the heel of the child. The sample will be analysed at the centres to diagnose congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia using the machinery available there. Nurses and laboratory staff will be trained to operate the machinery to diagnose both the diseases at the two centres,” said Dr S Srinivasan, coordinator, State Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“The government is yet to approve the proposal for setting up the units, but we expect it to be initiated by the end of the year,” added Srinivasan.

The samples would be collected from all government healthcare centres, including government taluk hospitals, primary health centres, district headquarter hospitals, to test the value of thyroid stimulating hormone. The screening centres would generate reports after collecting samples.

Currently, screening is being done at Institute of Child Health in Chennai, where the centre was opened in March.