Congenital hypothyroidism control programs. A cost-benefit analysis
P. M. Layde, S. D. Von Allmen and G. P. Oakley Jr
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 detecting a single case of CH is $9,300, which includes
specimen collection, laboratory analysis, and retesting of border-line
cases. The present value of the treatment costs of CH adds $2,500 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.
