Radioiodine (¹³¹I) therapies performed in a paediatric hospital: facilities and procedures

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Pediatric Oncology
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Radioiodine (¹³¹I) therapy for pediatric thyroid cancer and neuroblastoma necessitates patient isolation due to radiation safety concerns.
• Traditional isolation can be distressing for young patients and challenging for caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a child-friendly approach to managing radioiodine therapy isolation for pediatric patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a purpose-built therapy room in mitigating patient distress and staff radiation exposure.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a purpose-built, child-friendly therapy room for radioiodine (¹³¹I) administration.
• Utilizing audio-visual systems for communication between patients, parents, and nursing staff.
• Providing age-appropriate entertainment and a supportive environment for isolated children.
• Monitoring radiation exposure using personal digital dosimeters for all individuals entering the therapy room.

Main Results:

• Pediatric patients tolerated the isolation period with minimal aggravation.
• Personal radiation exposure to staff, parents, and visitors remained well below the general public annual limit (1000 µSv).
• The child-friendly design and support systems facilitated a positive experience for both patients and parents.

Conclusions:

• A purpose-built, child-friendly therapy room effectively manages radioiodine (¹³¹I) isolation for pediatric patients.
• This approach enhances patient well-being and ensures radiation safety for healthcare personnel and families.
• The model provides a positive and manageable experience for challenging pediatric cancer treatments.