2569

DELAYED DIAGNOSIS AND SEQUELE OF CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abusrewil S, Osman F, Abushofa U.

Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes Department, Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli, Libya

60 Children with Congenital hypothyroidism were treated at the pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes department, 34 (57%) were females and 26 (43%) were males, with ration 1.3:1. Mean age at diagnosis was 5 months (rang 1/2-32 months). Most of the patients 47 patients, 78%) were diagnosed after 3 months of age. 34 children were at school age, 23 (67%) of them had had poor school performance, and poor school performance was attributed to delay in diagnosis and non-compliance with thyroxin replacement therapy.

Congenital Hypothyroidism is preventable disease and delay in establishing screening program for this condition in Libya is no more acceptable.