[Congenital hypothyroidism: organization and coordination of neonatal screening in Italy].

Congenital hypothyroidism (IC) is the most frequent endocrine disease of the infancy and it is caused by primary deficiency of thyroid hormones. The damages derived by protracted hormone deficiency are diffused to all organs and systems and particularly severe for the development of central nervous system. Mental retardation can be prevented by early diagnosis and therapy. Early diagnosis is assured by neonatal thyroid screening performed on all newborns in the first days of life. The progress report on the screening situation in Italy as well as the national coordination realized in this field are presented.