GSK organises conference on Congenital Hypothyroidism in Kolkata
Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH), according to the doctors present in the discussion, is one of the most common yet preventable causes of mental retardation and retarded physical growth.
Participants said that various studies indicate that in Kolkata the prevalence of CH is 1 in 1500 children.
GSK said that they are keen to reach out to every single person, the numbers notwithstanding.
One of the key aspects brought forth was that Congenital Hypothyroidism is curable if diagnosed at the right time.
Dr. Subhankar Chowdhury, Head of Endocrinology Department of SSKM Hospital said, “If the treatment starts at the age of three, it can help in physical growth but not mental growth.”
According to him, treatment must begin within three months from the birth to get a proper mental growth.
Dr. Sujoy Ghosh who is an associate professor of Endocrinology Department of SSKM Hospital said that apart from mental deficiency, genetic disorder and under developed thyroid gland are also the causes for CH.
He said, “Iodine deficiency is not the common cause at least in West Bengal.”
Echoing the words of other panelists, Dr. Moutusi Roy Chowdhuri of R N Tagore Hospital highlighted the importance of commencement and continuation of treatment in this case.
“Adherence to treatment is important. Studies show that if you can initiate treatment early, the concerned child is likely to be normal ” she said.
Dr Roy Chowdhuri during her brief speech, highlighted the symptoms that distinguish a child with profound hypothyroidism.
She said: “If the child is not moving, or not sucking well or suffers from prolonged jaundice, he may have hypothyroidism."
Dr. Nilanjan Sengupta of NRS Medical College stated that a blood test of the baby within three months from his birth is required to detect CH.
According to Dr. Sengupta, one of the problem of this disease is its identification because a baby with CH has almost similar appearance to a normal baby.
In the panel discussion, levothyroxin replacement and generation of thyroid hormones artificially from outside were referred to as the means of treatment in our country at present.
Speaking about the cost of the treatment, Dr. Kaushik Pandit of Belle Vue Clinic and Fortis said that it is cheaper and financially easier for all sections of the society.
(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh, Images by Sandip Roy/IBNS)
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