Question

Assertion (A): All newborns should be screened for hypothyroidism at birth.

Reason (R): Treatment at birth for hypothyroidism can assure normal mental development.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Hint:

Ask why screening is done before symptoms appear, not after.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question checks whether we understand why congenital hypothyroidism screening is done for every newborn. Let's work through the options.

1. Both true, R explains A: Congenital hypothyroidism has almost no symptoms at birth, so without a blood test it stays hidden. If it is found and treated with thyroid hormone right away, the baby's brain grows normally. That is exactly why doctors screen every baby rather than waiting for signs to show up. This option fits.
2. Both true, R does not explain A: This does not fit, because the reason is the actual justification for screening, not an unrelated fact.
3. A true, R false: This fails since early treatment genuinely protects brain development, so R is true, not false.
4. A false, R true: This fails since universal newborn screening is indeed the recommended practice, so A is true, not false.

The underlying idea is simple: a baby with untreated congenital hypothyroidism looks fine for weeks while silent damage builds up in the brain. Screening at birth is the only way to catch it before that damage becomes permanent.

Let's summarize:

• Congenital hypothyroidism has few or no early signs, so screening, not observation, is needed.
• Starting treatment right after birth prevents the mental retardation that untreated cases cause.

So both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.