ICMR releases results of study on Congenital Hypothyroidism
Chennai, Mar 15 : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) today released the results of its five year study on the incidence of Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) and congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)--the two treatable disorders that affect the babies.
The research report was released by ICMR Director and National Task Force Chairman Prof S S Agarawal at a workshop organised by Mediscan in the city in the presence of Dr R Geetha, Deputy Director of Medical Education, Tamil Nadu Health Services. Prof P Suresh, Chairman, Fetal Care Research Foundation, Dr P Meenalochani, Director, IOG, Dr I C Verma, Dr Roli Mathur, AIIMS.
The ICMR initiated the five year multi-centric study on New Born Screening (NBS) for Congenital hypothyroidism and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and High Risk Screening (HRS) for a few metabolic disorders in the year 2008.
Speaking to the media, Prof Agarwal said 'Hypothyroidism is a treatable metabolic condition which is not clinically evident in the new born period and would do irreversible damage to the growing brain of the infant".
"This could cause developmental delay and mental retardation. Screening infants shortly after birth will result in early detection and treatment, besides restoring normal growth and development of the baby," he said.
Prof Agarwal said 'Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a potentially lethal disorder which may cost lives of the babies more so in male babies. Development of genitalia is abnormal. Clinical presentation includes potentially fatal salt-wasting' crises, female genital virilization, and premature puberty", he added.
Stating that both the disorders could be easily treated, he said treatment gives remarkable results. The benefits of screening surely outweigh the cost which was affordable to many.