Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism: Impact of parents counseling on the uptake of program.

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to screen newborns for congenital hypothyroidism and to compare effects of two different modes of awarenesson parent’s consent directed to newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore Pakistan. Period: 2018 to 2019. Material & Methods: Both parents were counseled regarding the importance of newborn screening for CHT. The statistics of program during current study (after parents counseling) were compared with study conducted during 2010 to 2011 (when parents were provided with printed awareness brochures). Results: Frequency of confirmed cases of CHT was 2.4 in 1000 babies screened for CHT during current study period. Proportion of parents consented for screening was 57.3% & 41.1% respectively during two study periods. The proportion of parents consented for screening was increased by 16.2% subsequent to proper counseling, which is highly significant difference at p<0.0001. Conclusion: Proper counseling of both parents has improved the coverage of program. Therefore proper counseling session of parents regarding their baby’s screening for congenital hypothyroidism should be conducted in order to improve their understanding and to emphasize the importance and benefits of screening.