Neonatal thyroid screening.

Recent advances in science and technology have led to the capability of early screening of newborn infants for congenital hypothyroidism. Preliminary screening programs in North America have been established in Quebec and in the Northwestern and Northeastern United States. To date these programs have screened approximately 750,000 newborn infants and detected 163 with congenital hypothyroidism. Preliminary information suggests that the early diagnosis and screening does in fact prevent mental retardation. Such programs appear to be economically sound in that they minimize the impact of congenital hypothyroidism on public budgets for care and rehabilitation of the mentally handicapped.