Scholarly and occupational outcomes of the first patients screened in France for congenital hypothyroidism

A population of 74 young adults born between 1 Jan. 1979 and 30 June 1985 who were screened at birth for congenital hypothyroidism received a questionnaire on their scholastic and occupational achievements in June 2003. The response rate was 74% (49 completed questionnaires and 8 postal returns). The patients' school achievements were similar to those of the general population, respectively 68.8% and 60.9% obtaining the French high school diploma. The number of patients on the labor market was relatively small, owing to ongoing studies. These results are strikingly better than those obtained in the pre-screening era, thereby validating newborn screeningfor congenital hypothyroidism.