Some characteristics of the thyroid status in children and adolescents living in one of the Kaluga regions contaminated with radionuclides

Thyroid status was examined in 9294 children living in the Ulyanov district of the Kaluga region contaminated with radionuclides. Thyroid size and structure were assessed using ultrasonic examination, its function was characterized based on thyrotropin and free thyroxin measurements. Specific autoimmunity was evaluated from assays of antibodies to microsomal antigen and thyroglobulin. The resultant values were assessed with due consideration for the individual dose of ¹³¹I absorbed by the thyroid. Thyroid enlargement was detected in 29.2 %, nodular goiter in 0.79 % of the examinees. A reliable positive correlation was found between the degree of thyroid enlargement and ¹³¹I absorbed dose. Functional parameters (thyrotropin and free thyroxin) were within the normal range, no correlation was detected between hormonal parameters, thyroid size, and 94 absorbed dose. Antibodies to microsomal antigen were detected in 4.3 %, to thyroglobulin in 7.2 %, to both in 2.8 % of the examinees, this being within the normal range in the population; but a relationship was detected between antibody production and absorbed dose of ¹³¹I. Hence, though no noticeable changes in the thyroid status were detected 5 years after the accident in the population examined, the revealed correlations between thyroid enlargement, presence of antithyroid antibodies, and ¹³¹I dose may be indicative of a possible growth of thyroid morbidity.

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