Abstract
Serum a1-fetoprotein (A.F.P.) was measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay in 4 boys and 5 girls with congenital hypothyroidism aged 1 to 3 months and in 20 normal infants matched for age and sex. Thirty days following the initiation of thyroxine substitution therapy wich was instituted upon diagnosis (A.F.P.) was remeasured. Serum A.F.P. in the hypothyroid infants was found to be raised before therapy (147.6±20.7 ng/ml) compared to normal infants(28±7.26 ng/ml). This difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). After one month therapy with thyroxin there was a significant fall in A.F.P. levels(51+19.7 ng/ml). It is suggested that if elevated AFP levels are found during A.F.P. screening programmes hypothyroidism should be excluded.
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Theodoridis, C., Bourloyiannis, C., Papa-Gregoriou, M. et al. Serum a1-fetoprotein levels in congenital hypothyroidism. Pediatr Res 12, 1085 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00024
