Low Adherence to National Guidelines for Thyroid Screening in Down Syndrome

2010

G. Bradley Schaefer
[email protected]
402-559-7321

Purpose: To determine adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for thyroid screening in children with Down syndrome among primary care providers in the states of Oklahoma and Nebraska. Methods: We sought to identify all children with Down syndrome born in Oklahoma and Nebraska between 1994 and 2004 and review their medical records for evidence of thyroid screening. Patients were identified through a State Department of Health birth defects registry in Oklahoma and through participation in genetics clinics and laboratories in Nebraska and Oklahoma. Charts obtained from primary care providers were reviewed and the number of actual thyroid screens was compared with the number of recommended in the guidelines. In Nebraska, 14% of children received all recommended thyroid screenings. Among participants in Oklahoma, a mean of 34% of recommended thyroid screenings were performed. In Nebraska, a mean of 45% of recommended thyroid screenings were performed. Conclusions: The level of adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for thyroid screening in children with Down syndrome is low. Factors contributing to this low level of adherence need to be identified and addressed.

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Consumers/Families, Professionals, Students

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