Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
-
Comparative Study
Thyroid function abnormalities among first-degree relatives of Iranian congenital hypothyroidism neonates.
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a relatively common metabolic disease in neonates. Until recent years the disorder was usually regarded as occurring in a sporadic manner. Over the past few years, however, a considerable proportion of familial cases have been identified, and possible roles of autoimmune factors suggested. The aim of the present study was to evaluate abnormality of thyroid function tests in first-degree relatives of CH neonates and compared this to the normal population. ⋯ Familial and genetic components play a role in inheritance of CH, but maternal thyroid autoimmunity may not play an important role in the development of CH in Iran.