The informative value of neonatal TSH in assessing iodine status in the Republic of Karelia

Varlamova T.V., Vapirov V.V., Bashnina E.B., Tukhkanen E.V.

1) Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russia; 2) North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, St. Petersburg, Russia; 3) Medical Genetic Consultation, V.A. Baranov Republican Hospital, Petrozavodsk, Russia

Background: Neonatal screening, including determination of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland, is an effective method for the timely diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism. In accordance with WHO recommendations, neonatal TSH levels can be used to assess iodine deficiency. 
Objective: Assessment of the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in the Republic of Karelia and analysis of neonatal TSH levels as an epidemiological indicator of iodine deficiency.
Materials and methods: A statistical analysis of neonatal screening results for congenital hypothyroidism in the Republic of Karelia from 2016 to 2024 was conducted.
Results: The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in the Republic of Karelia was 1:4411 newborns, which is comparable to data for the Russian Federation. The incidence of TSH>5 mU/L in neonatal screening was less than 7%, indicating low sensitivity of this indicator for areas with mild iodine deficiency.

For citations: Varlamova T.V., Vapirov V.V., Bashnina E.B., Tukhkanen E.V. The informative value of neonatal TSH in assessing iodine status in the Republic of Karelia. Pharmateca. 2025;32(8):74-79. (In Russ.). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2025.8.74-79

Authors’ contribution: All authors confirm that their authorship meets the international ICMJE criteria (all authors have made a significant contribution to the development of the concept, research and preparation of the article, read and approved the final version before publication).
Conflicts of interest: The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was conducted without any sponsorship.
Ethical Approval: not required.
Patient Consent for Publication: The design of the study did not require informed consent from patients for statistical processing of anonymized data for subsequent publication.
Authors’ Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.

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About the Authors

Tatyana V. Varlamova, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Petrozavodsk State University, A.P. Zilber Medical Institute, Petrozavodsk, Russia; varlamova@sampo.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5617-8893, Scopus Author ID: 58819203900 (corresponding author)
Vladimir V. Vapirov, Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Professor, Head of the Department of General Chemistry, Petrozavodsk State University, A.P. Zilber Medical Institute, Petrozavodsk, Russia; vapirov@petrsu.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5617-8893, Scopus Author ID: 6603458306
Elena B. Bashnina, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Department of Endocrinology named after V.G. Baranov, North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, St. Petersburg, Russia; bashnina@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7063-1161, Scopus Author ID: 6507189320
Ekaterina V. Tukhkanen, Head of the Medical and Genetic Consultation, V.A. Baranov Republican Hospital, Petrozavodsk, Russia; mgk@medicine.karelia.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3976-0066

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