The Newborn Screening Program for Congenital Hypothyroidism of the Nuclear Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna was established in the Southern Province under the direction of the Director General of Health Service of the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka’s circular dated 10th August 2010. This was a combined effect of studies carried out by the NMU since 2006 with the assistance from the Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka, Family Health Bureau & Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka and the National Research Council of Sri Lanka. Once the preliminary studies were published in Ceylon Medical Journal March 2009 & Galle Medical Journal in 2009 the request for funding was approved by the Council of the National Research Council -NRC grants 08/08 with 5.0 million & 11/160 with 3.2 million for the purpose of purchasing necessary equipment. The inaugural ceremony was held on 21st September 2010 in the presence of Hon. Minister of Health, Sri Lanka. At presently all newborns in the Southern Province (more than 50 000 live births per year) were subjected to newborn screen annually for Congenital Hypothyroidism by us. Further, this program has been extended to Moneragala & Bibila Districts of Uva Province and discussions are underway to incorporate Rathnapura (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Kaluthara (Western Province) Districts as well.
A baby can be born with a health condition but may not show any signs of the problem at first. If a health condition is found early with newborn screening, it often can be treated. This makes it possible to avoid more serious health problems later in life. Although Congenital Hypothyroidism thought to be rare in Sri Lanka usually serious complications may occur. It may slow down a baby's physical development, cause intellectual disability or other problems if left untreated. However, serious side effects can be lessened, and often completely prevented, if a medical intervention is started early before the baby displays any signs of the disease.
Screening is performed on a sample of blood obtained by pricking the baby's heel. The sample is taken before your baby leaves the hospital. The blood is collected and then dried on a special paper which is sent to the Nuclear Medicine Unit, in Galle. Results are reported to the respective Hospital, Regional Director of Health Services (Galle, Matara & Hambantota), Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health, and, when applicable, Public Health Midwifery centers.