super(131)I dose-dependent thyroid autoimmune disorders in children living around Chernobyl

We assessed the major lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood, thyroid ultrasonography, levels of serum autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (AbTg), thyroid hormones, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in 53 children without any chronic diseases living continuously around Chernobyl. The subjects ranged in age from 7 to 14 years and had different doses of super(131)I to their thyroid. Healthy children living on noncontaminated areas were assessed as controls. The majority of children with doses of super(131)I had normal levels of thyroid hormones. However, the percentages of positive sera for AbTg, TSH levels, ultrasonographic thyroid abnormalities, and abnormal echogenicity were significantly higher in children with doses of super(131)I than in controls. The dose of super(131)I to thyroid correlated positively with serum AbTg levels, percentage of CD3+CD4+ cells, and CD3+/CD4+CD8+ cell ratio and negatively with number of CD3+CD8+ and CD3-/CD16, CD56+ cells. Thus, our study demonstrates an association between dose of super(131)I and autoimmune thyroid disorders in this population of children.