Congenital hypothyroidism control programs. A cost-benefit analysis

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Abstract
Comprehensive screening programs to control congenital hypothyroidism (CH), a preventable form of mental retardation, are being considered by some public health agencies. The proposed programs would test neonates'' blood for thyroxine and, if warranted, provide follow-up testing and therapy. The estimated cost of detection of a single case of CH is $9,300, which includes specimen collection, laboratory analysis and retesting of borderline cases. The present value of the treatment costs for CH adds $2500 per case, a total cost of $11,800 per case detected and child treated. The economic benefits (averted costs of institutionalization and special education and increased productivity of the affected person) are estimated to have a present value of $105,000 per case, yielding a cost-benefit ratio of 1:8.9.

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