Radiochemical studies on thyroid function in Sudanese newborn

In this study two thyroid related hormones of 200 neonates were investigated, in order to study the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism in Khartoum state. Radiochemical iodinated anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) monoclonal antibody and and thyroxine labeled antigen were used as a radiotracer. Radiochemical chlora min T method of radioiodination, which based on chlomin T as strong oxidizing agent and sodium metabisulphite as strong reducing agent was used to prepare the iodine 125 labeled radio tracer of TSH and T4 hormones. There for two radiotracer were used in sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for T4 and TSH. Cord blood was used at the moment of delivery to obtain serum samples for the investigations. The mean of most neonates was normal in T4 (117 nmol/1) and the TSH (1.8 mu/1), while the normal levels ranging from (50-150 nmol/ 1) and (0.4-4 mu/1) respectively. There was strong correlation between T4 and TSH, p>0.01. Two neonates showed high TSH level and low T4 level. In this study the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was found to be 1% which correlates with the international incidence. (Author)