Results of 131I therapy in hyperthyroidism at 7-18 years of age

Twenty-seven patients aged 7-18 years, with hyperthyroidism and diffuse goite received 131I and 125I in doses of 200-350 muCi/gm of gland. The drug was given in a unique dose to 14 patients and fractioned (maximum 4 doses) to the rest. The total maximum dose was 15 mCi. Doubtless recovery was obtained in 25 cases and probable improvement in another 2 (the patients were lost track of). Exophthalmometric values did not increase in any of the patients and in 2 cases of edematous exophthalmos the protrusion and edema disappeared after this treatment. Clear improvement in the nutritional state occurred and puberty followed a normal course. The incidence of both early and late transient hypothyroidism was 1/25, while permanent hypothyroidism occurred in 5/25. In 5 cases administration of 125I in doses of 500 muCi/gm of gland was not effective and necessitated 131I readministration. It was concluded that radioactive iodine (131 isotope) is an effective radiopharmaceutical for radical treatment of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. The therapeutical innocuity of 131I was perfect and the dose of 200-350 muCi/gm of gland was the most adequate. A follow-up of the functional status is however advocated in these patients for detection of late hypothyroidism.