Screening for hypothyroidism in Down syndrome using the capillary thyroid stimulating hormone method.

Objectives: To analyze data from the Scottish capillary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) screening program for hypothyroidism in Down syndrome to identify a threshold for capillary TSH elevation below which low venous free thyroxine (fT4) (<9 pmol/L) and/or frank venous TSH elevation (>10 mU/L) range is unlikely.

Study Design: Review of proformas prospectively submitted on all children with Down syndrome referred via the screening program between 2003 and 2013.

Results: Ninety-nine patients with Down syndrome (50 females, 49 males) were identified, 76 school-age (≥ 5 years) and 23 preschool (<5 years), mean (range) age at referral 9.

Capillary TSH screening programme for Down's syndrome in Scotland, 1997-2009.

Objectives: To assess uptake of community-based capillary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) screening in Scotland and determine the optimal frequency of screening, the justification for preschool screening and strategies for treatment.

Methods: Subjects with Down's syndrome aged 1-19 years underwent capillary TSH measurement. Clinical and biochemical data were collected using proformas.