Treatment of Hyperthyroidism in Children

Abstract

IN recent years considerable controversy has arisen over whether children with hyperthyroidism are best treated with antithyroid drugs, by subtotal thyroidectomy or with radioactive iodine (I131). The treatment of thyrotoxicosis in children and young adults with I131 has found fewer supporters in recent years because of the possible danger of induction of thyroid neoplasms1 and the finding that administration of I131 alone may induce benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms in animals.2 , 3 As a result of experience with more than 250 hyperthyroid children less than fifteen years of age, subtotal thyroidectomy is considered the treatment of choice by Hayles et . . .