Radioiodine and childhood thyrotoxicosis.

Abstract

Radioiodine has practically replaced thyroidectomy in the treatment of Graves's disease in adults. Earlier apprehension concerning radiation-induced thyroid cancers and leukemia have been dispelled by careful long-term observations of large numbers of patients. Transmissible genetic effects have not been documented, but cumulative experience is not extensive, because until about five years ago, few patients below the age of 40 were treated with radioiodine. Increases in congenital abnormalities have not been demonstrated, however, after irradiation from other sources, notably in children of surviving victims of atomic bombings.1 By contrast, childhood and adolescent Graves's disease has been treated with radioiodine only rarely, . . .