Kennislacunes

The goal of thyroid function monitoring after the use of iodinated contrast and subsequent thyroid hormone supplementation is the prevention of neurodevelopmental delay. However, studies designed to answer the question whether monitoring of thyroid function after the use of ICM in children leads to better neurodevelopmental outcome are missing. Therefore, studies that answer the following question are necessary:

What are the results of thyroid function monitoring after the use of iodinated contrast media in children (<18 years) undergoing radiological examinations?

 

P(atients): Children (<18 years) undergoing radiological examinations with iodinated contrast media (ICM);

I(ntervention): Monitoring of thyroid function after ICM administration.

C(ontrol): No monitoring of thyroid function after ICM administration.

O(utcome): Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, irreversible effects of thyroid dysfunction on neurodevelopment of child.

 

The following other important questions remain unanswered:

• Whether infants between 3 months and 3 years are at risk of developing hypothyroidism after exposure to ICM. Including whether this is dose dependent, what the duration of the hypothyroidism is and whether this would affect neurodevelopment if left untreated.
• The various administration routes of ICM (e.g., intra-arterial, intravenous, gastrointestinal, genitourinary) have not been sufficiently studied.