Should radioiodine be the first-line treatment for paediatric Graves’ disease?

Abstract

Background: Debate exists regarding the optimal treatment strategy for paediatric Graves' disease with radioiodine (RAI), and surgery, usually reserved for failure of medical therapy. We present our own experience to introduce a review of the published literature focussing on the predictors of remission after antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy from diagnosis, and discuss whether RAI should be considered as a first-line therapy.

Definitive treatment of Graves’ disease in children and adolescents

“…FT3/fT4 should be measured because TSH levels may be suppressed for several months. Typically, hypothyroidism develops in 2-3 months, and then levothyroxine treatment should be started [22][23][24].…”

Is radioiodine a better therapy than antithyroid drugs for achieving remission in those with juvenile Graves’ hyperthyroidism?

“…4 However, these treatments have been found to induce varying rates of remission among patients. 5 Hence, it is important to evaluate past research to aid clinical decisions. In this article, the use of antithyroid drugs and radioiodine will be analysed.…”