Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Individuals with Down Syndrome are at increased risk of developing thyroid disease. Given thyroid disorders represent a preventable cause of neurodevelopmental impairment, early detection and treatment are essential to maximise cognitive abilities in this already impaired population. This service evaluation sought to assess the efficacy of the Down Syndrome Hypothyroid Screening programme in its uptake and subsequent diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Methods: A report of children with known Down Syndrome was obtained from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Down Syndrome database. Children were excluded if they were <2 years or had been a resident for <2 years. Electronic Patient Records were used to access baseline characteristics and results of venous Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs). Data on TSH capillary screening were obtained via the Scottish Newborn Bloodspot Screening lab. Data were collected on each child’s previous 3 screening and the time between screening was calculated. From this, children referred to Endocrinology following abnormal screening and those subsequently commenced on Levothyroxine therapy were identified.

Results: We identified 248 children with Down Syndrome (122 male). 20 children were excluded as they were <2 years old or residents for <1 year. This left 228 children (114 male). The mean age was 9.9 years, range (2.1-22.7). 3 children received no screening in their lifetime. Of those screened, 92% received screening within the last 1.0 decimal years (207/225) and a further 3.1% (7/225) received screening within the last 1.5 years. 7 of the 225 children had been screened once (n=218). 74 children (33.9%) had 1.0 years or less between their previous screenings. A further 118 children (54.1%) had 1.5 years or less between each screen. 21 children (9.3%) had abnormal screening, with 20 children referred to Endocrinology. One child had normal TFTs and was not referred. Of the 21 children with abnormal screening, 16 (76.2%) were commenced on Levothyroxine therapy.

Conclusion: Within Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the hypothyroid screening programme is effective in monitoring and detecting thyroid disease. The majority of children with Down Syndrome receive hypothyroid screening annually. Of those screened, 9.3% had abnormal screening results, with 76.2% of these children commenced on Levothyroxine therapy.