Updates in the Prevalence and Complications of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Saudi Arabia: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background/ objectives: Clinical implications of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), such as brain problems, are mild and difficult to detect throughout infancy. They are detectable after treatment or prevention has failed. General neonatal screening is useful for detecting congenital hypothyroidism and commencing initial treatment. The purpose of this study is to compile current evidence on the prevalence and complications of CH in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: PubMed and EBSCO Information Services were chosen as the search databases for the publications used within the study, as they are high-quality sources.
Results: Our results included six studies with a total of 1,028,640 patients. The prevalence of CH among the Saudi population ranged from 0.01% to 0.12%. One study reported the prevalence of CH among the reported endocrinopathies to be 39.6%.
Conclusion: The prevalence of CH in Saudi Arabia was relatively high, owing primarily to the high number of consanguinity marriages. Thyroid disorders impact children of all ages, compromising their cognitive, physical, and behavioral development. To avoid complications, early diagnosis, and treatment, as well as continuous monitoring, are necessary. To reduce the complications of CH in children, screening, treatment, and follow-up measures must be done universally and consistently across the country in accordance with WHO and national guidelines.