Radioactive iodine therapy for Graves' disease in childhood and adolescence

While the diagnosis of Graves' disease in childhood and adolescence is relatively straightforward, its treatment remains controversial. The first choice therapy is the use of anti-thyroid drugs, although side effects are more frequent than in adults and remission is low. Surgery is not usually indicated as initial treatment. Instead, it is generally recommended after recidive of the disease or due to side effects of medical treatment. The use of radioiodine therapy is increasing in this age group, especially in North America, and control of the hyperthyroidism is achieved in 3 to 6 months in 90% of the cases. There is no evidence that radioiodine therapy is associated with a higher risk of thyroid cancer, and the occurrence of side effects is lower than surgery. Based on the positive results obtained with this therapy, patients with poor responsiveness to medical treatment should be considered for early radioiodine therapy.