title: The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in infants and children: protection from radioiodines.
abstract: Potassium iodide (KI) is recommended as an emergency treatment for exposure to radioiodines, most commonly associated with nuclear detonation or mishaps at nuclear power plants. Protecting the thyroid gland of infants and children remains a priority because of increased incidence of thyroid cancer in the young exposed to radioiodines (such as (131)I and (133)I). There is a lack of clinical studies for KI and radioiodines in children or infants to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness and safety of KI administration in the young. In this paper, we compare functional aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in the young and adults and review the limited studies of KI in children. The HPT axis in the infant and child is hyperactive and therefore will respond less effectively to KI treatment compared to adults. Research on the safety and efficacy of KI in infants and children is needed.
authors: National Center for Toxicological Research, US FDA, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
authors: Jeffrey
authors: 0000-0002-2770-4337
authors: J
authors: Fisher
authors: National Center for Toxicological Research, US FDA, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
authors: Xiaoxia
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: College of Public Health, University of Georgia, 115 DW Brooks Dr, Barrow Hall, Room 001B, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Curtis
authors: C
authors: Harris
authors: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 820-11, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors: Igor
authors: 0000-0002-4090-7008
authors: I
authors: Koturbash
authors: National Center for Toxicological Research, US FDA, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
authors: Annie
authors: A
authors: Lumen