Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in the United Arab Emirates measured by raised TSH levels
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Abstract
The United Arab Emirates National Screening Programme for Congenital Hypothyroidism was established in January 1998. The programme measures neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] levels of blood samples collected on filter paper on day 5 by heel prick. The prevalence of raised TSH levels [> 5 microU/mL whole blood] during 1998 and 1999 was used to evaluate the degree of iodine-deficiency disorders [IDD] in the population in different regions. The ratio of TSH profile in the present study and goitre rate in schools in a 1994 study were discrepant, although there was good correlation between the ratio of TSH profile and urinary iodine. The prevalence of raised TSH levels was < 3% in the Emirates overall, which is normal, and IDD varied from mild to normal problems in different regionsCitation
Al Hosani, H., Osman, H., Abdel Wareth, L., Saade, D. & Salah, M. (2003). Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in the United Arab Emirates measured by raised TSH levels. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 9 (1-2), 123-130, 2003 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/119252