Screening of congenital hyperthyroidism in Morocco: a pilot study.

Background In Morocco we have no reliable information on the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (HC). Aims The aim of our study was to explore the feasibility of a neonatal screening program for this disease in Morocco. Methods We conducted a screening campaign in the HC 15 615 newborns in the wilaya of Fez in north-central Morocco. Positive cases have been followed up during seven years. Over the same period, we conducted a retrospective qualitative study among parents of newly screened positive newborns and health professionals. Results Twelve cases of hypothyroidism have been confirmed, a frequency 1p1301 births. When excluding 4 cases of hypothyroidism transients, the frequency of HC becomes 1p1952 births, athyreosis represents 25% of cases, partial agenesis 25% of cases and 50 % of cases had normal thyroid glands in place; 67% are female and 33% male. The average age of testing was 17.1 ± 6.6 days and the start of treatment was 43.4 ± 8.7 days. Tracking cases brought under replacement therapy showed a good evolution of anthropometric parameters and psychomotor. The qualitative study found that parents are monitoring their babies very seriously despite the very low socio-economic class of the vast majority of them. Conclusions The results of our study support the need for the establishment of a neonatal screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism in Morocco.