Geographical epidemiology of neonatal transitory hypothyroidism. Trend evidence in central Italian region.

AIM: To study the geographical distribution of high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in the Marche region (central Italy).

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Register of Neonatal Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) of the Marche region (Italy), located at the Child Neuropsychiatry Department of Civil Hospital in Fano (Marche, Italy). Data were analyzed by Ohno's method.

RESULTS

The findings of this study show a nonuniform distribution of high TSH levels in the Marche region, with an evident gradient from North to South.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not possible to provide a definitive interpretation of these findings, although the specialized literature suggests that a high level of TSH in neonates should be interpreted as a marker of insufficient iodine uptake. Other factors affecting TSH level are also taken into consideration.