Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Radioactive iodine ((131)I) therapy is increasingly viewed as a safe and effective treatment for paediatric and adolescent hyperthyroidism. Our objective was to estimate treatment response and its predictors and describe current referral practices for (131)I therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS: One hundred and thirty-one children 30 days-21 years old with laboratory evidence of hyperthyroidism, seen in an academic paediatric and adolescent endocrinology practice. MEASUREMENTS: Rate of referral, indications for (131)I, predictors of poor treatment response. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of 102 patients with persistent hyperthyroidism (37%) received (131)I (160 μCi/g thyroid tissue/(131)I uptake), as did an additional 10 patients initially evaluated by adult thyroidologists. Primary indications were intolerance to (29%) or poor control on (19%) antithyroid drugs, patient preference (50%) and unknown (2%). Of 48 patients treated with (131)I, 89% and 11% became hypothyroid after one and two (131)I doses, respectively. The goal of (131)I therapy was attainment of hypothyroidism. 'Poor treatment response' (seen in 27%) was defined as requirement for a second (131)I dose or failure to achieve hypothyroidism after 6 months. Predictors of poor treatment response included: previous use of antithyroid drugs (37%vs. 0%, P = 0.02), ophthalmopathy (58%vs. 8%, P = 0.002), and an interval of ≥ 12 months from diagnosis to (131)I (50%vs. 10%, P = 0.003). A very elevated free T4 tended to be more prevalent in those with poor response. CONCLUSIONS: In children and adolescents with hyperthyroidism, high rates of success after (131)I are achievable. Use of antithyroid drugs, pre-existing eye disease and prolonged time to (131)I may confer relative resistance to (131)I.
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Authors | Shana McCormack, Deborah M Mitchell, Melissa Woo, Lynne L Levitsky, Douglas S Ross, Madhusmita Misra |
Journal | Clinical endocrinology
(Clin Endocrinol (Oxf))
Vol. 71
Issue 6
Pg. 884-91
(Dec 2009)
ISSN: 1365-2265 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 19250263
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Humans
- Hyperthyroidism
(radiotherapy)
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Iodine Radioisotopes
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Young Adult
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