Dynamics of the morphological and functional state of thyroid in utero irradiated children from the south-west part of the Kaluga region during the first ten years after the Chernobyl accident

The purpose of the article is the study of temporal variations of the morphological and functional state of the thyroid in children living in the most contaminated with radionuclides of Zhizdrinsky, Ulyanovsky and Khastovichsky rayons of the Kaluga region and exposed to radiation in utero during the "radioiodine period" following the accident at the Chernobyl NPP (May-July 1986). Results of the first decade follow-up if the thyroid of 255 children exposed in utero are discussed. Main conclusions: 1) To the end of the decade goitre was found in about 26% of subjects exposed to radioiodine during late stage of organogenesis (28-40th week of gestation), at that stage the thyroid actively captures radioiodine penetrating the placenta. Additional irradiation of the thyroid can be after the birth, because first weeks of the life run during the "radioiodine period". 2) Certain drop of average concentration of thyroixine and growth of thyrotropine level was observed to the end of the decade of follow-up. There can be certain trend towards increase of hormones synthesis by the thyroid.