Document Type : Original Article(s)
                            
                        
                                                    Authors
                            
                                                            
                                                                            1
                                                                        Medical Student, Isfahan Medical Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            2
                                                                        Resident of Pediatric, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            3
                                                                        Professor of Endocrinology, Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences                                
                                                            
                                                                            4
                                                                        Isfahan Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            5
                                                                        Colleague of Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening Program, Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences                                
                                                            
                                                                            6
                                                                        Professor of Endocrinology, Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            7
                                                                        Doctorate of Laboratory Sciences, Assistant professor of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            8
                                                                        Researcher, Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                                                            
                                                                            9
                                                                        Professor of Pediatric Endocrinologist, Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan                                
                            
                                                
                        
                            Abstract
                                Background:Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a relatively common congenital disorder   in neonates. Recently, a considerable proportion of familial cases have been   identified, and possible roles of autoimmune factors suggested. The aim of   this study was to evaluate the abnormality of thyroid function tests in first   degree relatives of CH neonates and compared it to normal population.             Methods:From 2002-2007 thyroid function tests (T4 and TSH) of 194 randomly   selected CH neonates borne in all 17 hospitals of the Isfahan, Iran and their   first degree relatives were measured, and compared with thyroid function   tests of first degree relatives of 350 normal neonates that randomly selected   as sex, age and urban/rural status. Patients’ mothers and control groups were   also evaluated for TPO antibody. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS (version 11.5; SPSS Inc., Chicago,   IL) and Chi Square test used to compare two groups.             Findings:Thyroid function   tests was measured in the first degree relative of neonates with CH   (361parents, 136 siblings) and compared with control groups (665 parents, 477   siblings). Thyroid function tests were abnormal in 85 patients of case group   vs. 96 patients of control group. Hypothyroidism was found on 75 and 57   person in case and control groups, respectively. In 17.3% of CH neonates   mothers and 32.5% of control groups mothers TPO antibody were positive. 31.4%   of CH infants had parental consanguinity that 22.6% of them had abnormal   thyroid function test in their family.             Conclusion:The study showed that abnormal thyroid function tests are   significantly more frequent in the first degree relatives of CH infants than   normal population    (P < 0.005 for parents and P < 0.0001 for siblings). Furthermore the   proportion of affected infants mothers with positive TPO-Ab was significantly   lower than control groups (P = 0.005). Our study suggested that there is a   possible familial and genetic component in inheritance of CH and maternal   thyroid autoimmunity may not play an important role in development of CH in   our area.                 Key words: Congenital hypothyroidism, Parents, Siblings, Thyroid function test,   Thyroid peroxidase antibodies