[Leipzig neonatal screening center--experiences with introduction of screening for congenital hypothyroidism].

The development of neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism in the GDR and particularly in Saxony after German reunification is described in this paper. The results of the studies and the experiences in respect of realisation and organisation of the screening for hypothyroidism in the screening centre of Leipzig are discussed. Measurement of TSH in the blood spot of about 65,000 newborn yielded an incidence rate of congenital hypothyroidism of 1:3,200. The onset of therapy within the first three weeks of life has been ensured until now since no children with congenital hypothyroidism were involved in cases of occasionally delayed blood sampling and/or postal delay. However, there has been some organisational disparity due to individually different handling of health insurance fund payments of screening fees for hypothyroidism in Saxony and also in the other federal states. The disadvantages of this lack of uniform regulations are explained. Neonatal screening for evidence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia by determining 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, is under preparation.