The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Both the government and NGO's should stretch out their hands to save the country's newborn babies from the curse of congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), a condition that affects infants from birth and results from a partial or complete loss of thyroid function, speakers at a national seminar said yesterday.

They said congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. Approximately 1 in 2000 newborn infants in Bangladesh suffers from congenital hypothyroidism.

Manik Lal Sammaddar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, addressed the seminar on 'Screening of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Newborn Babies,' as chief guest. The seminar was held at Atomic Energy Commission Bhaban at Agargaon in the city.

SM Wahid-uz-Zaman, Secretary, Ministry of Science, Information and Technology, addressed the seminar as special guest.

Shafiqul Alam Bhuiyan, Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, presided over it.

Dr Mizanul Hasan presented the keynote paper.

Manik Lal Sammadar said both government and NGO's should stretch out their hands to save the country's newborns from this curse. He said that government would extend all-out cooperation to the commission in this regard. SM Wahid-uz-Zaman said the project should carry on for the endless years.

Mizanul Hasan said if the disease could be diagnosed within a week of birth, it could be cured easily. Project of screening of congenital hypothyroidism in newborn babies would help to save babies from lifelong mental and physical retardation he said.

Blood is taken from the newborn child's intestine or foot, which is then preserved in a filter paper, he said and added that the sample is examined in the laboratory to know whether the child has congenital hypothyroidism.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission introduces the project in the country to diagnose congenital hypothyroidism.