[Results of studies performed with the MZ-XVII program on a national scale; summary and conclusions]

MOST IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS: (FROM COUNTRY-WIDE POPULATION STUDIES) 1. In some voivodships localized in south-east and north-east parts of Poland thyroids of young children would, without protective measures, accumulate more then 60 MsV of radioiodine, thus exceeding intervention level settled for the country. 2. Thyroid function of newborns exposed to radioiodine during neonatal life was normal and frequency of neonatal hypothyroidism similar to that seen in years before Czernobyl accident. 3. Potassium iodide administrated to newborns in some of them profuced transient rise of TSH (Wolff-Chaikoff phenomenon), thus suggesting, that ki dose settled for newborns could be to high. 4. Thyroid radioiodine dose accumulated in thyroids of older children, teenagers and adults was in majority of regions well below the dose of 50 MsV. 5. The frequency of non-toxic diffuse goiter, especially in traditional endemic goiter area was found to be high, but is also relatively high in others regions of Poland and seems to depend on iodine deficiency or relative iodine deficiency. 6. The frequency of other thyroid disorders is within the limit reported in countries with relative iodine deficiency. 7. More than 95% of children and teenagers took protective, single dose of potassium iodide (about 10 millions). 8. Approximately 27% of adults took protective dose of potassium iodide (about 7 millions). 9. Organization of protective action in 11 north-east and south-east voivodoships was good about 75% of all obtain ki solution within 24 hours. In the rest of the country where protective action was ordered april 30, in afternoon hrs only about 25% obtained ki the same day and the rest during next 48-72 hrs. 10. The fact that prior to the protective action limited number of children was given iodine alcohol solution permitted for external use speaks about the fear and panic observed in Poland in first days after Czernobyl accident. 11. Extrathyroidal side-effects after ki administration appeared in about 5% were usually light or moderate and in majority of cases disappearing without medical assistance. Vomiting was most commonly seen side-effect in young children, thus suggesting that either dose, or the chemical form of the drug for this group of age was unproper. 12. Intrathyroidal side-effects of single dose of ki was rare phenomenon seen mostly in newborns, very young children and some adults with history of thyroid disease in the past. 13. Its possible that even small dose of radioiodine accumulated in thyroid produce immunological response leading to the appearance of thyroid antibodies in blood serum.