I-131 - OPTIMAL THERAPY FOR HYPER-THYROIDISM IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (8) , 847-850
Abstract
To assess the medium- to long-term effects of I-131 therapy of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents, 51 patients (6-18 yr old; 8 boys, 43 girls) treated with I-131 for Graves'' disease with hyperthyroidism at a medical center (1951-1972) were studied. Patients received total doses ranging from 3 to 81.6 mCi. The mean follow-up period was 14.6 .+-. 7.9 yr. Hyperthyroidism was effectively treated in 49 within 1 to 12 mo. One patient failed to respond to 3 treatment doses, and hyperthyroidism recurred in 2 patients: 2 and 11 yr after initial therapy. Of these 3 patients, 2 were treated by thyroidectomy and 1 was re-treated successfully with I-131. There were no cases of thyroid cancer, other malignancies or leukemia. The patients'' reproductive histories and the health of their offspring were as in the general population. At the time of study the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 92% with no recurrent goiters or thyroid nodules. Iodine-131 is a safe and effective treatment of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents and should be the preferred mode of therapy.