Estimation of the cost benefit relation of a program of early detection of congenital hypothyroidism
Ward, L.S.; Zanella, M.T.; Menabó, E.; Ramos, L.R.; Castelo Filho, A.; Russo, E.M.; Vieira, J.G.; Maciel, R.M.
Amb Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira 34(3): 106-110
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0102-843X PMID: 3149786 Document Number: 4099
The early detection and subsequent treatment of a child with congenital hypothyroidism would bring considerable benefits to the society and to the family of the affected infant, since the consequences ofpermanent mental deficiency would be avoided. A pilot program for detection of congenital hypothyroidism was implanted at Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, in 1983, using reagents produced locally and employing existing techniques which were adapted to our conditions. Based on the real data collected in this screening pilot program, the benefits and costs of a similar screening program that would cover the whole metropolitan area of São Paulo were estimated for a period of three years. In spite of the initial costs involved in the set-up of the program, the cost-benefit analysis expressed by total benefits/total costs ratio was already 1.34 in the first year, going up to 3.90 in the second year and to 3.99 in the third year. Our data indicate that a screening program for detection of congenital hypothyroidism is feasible and efficient, particularly when the techniques and reagents are produced locally.
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