How can iodine affect children?
Iodine is essential for the growth and development of children. However, children are more sensitive to the harmful effects of excessively high levels of stable and radioactive iodine than adults because their thyroid glands are still growing. If babies and children receive too much iodine, they can develop an enlarged thyroid gland (called a goiter), which does not produce enough thyroid hormone for normal growth. Radioactive iodine in food can be more harmful to babies and children than to adults. Because a child s thyroid gland is smaller than that of an adult, a child s thyroid gland will receive a higher radiation dose than the adult exposed to the same amount of iodine.
Iodine is essential for the growth and development of children. However, children are more sensitive to the harmful effects of excessively high levels of stable and radioactive iodine than adults because their thyroid glands are still growing and they need a healthy thyroid gland for normal growth. If babies and children receive too much iodine, they can develop an enlarged thyroid gland (called a goiter), which does not produce enough thyroid hormone for normal growth. Too much iodine from the mother can cause a baby’s thyroid gland to be so large that it makes breathing difficult or impossible. Radioactive iodine in food can be more harmful to babies and children than to adults. Because a child’s thyroid gland is smaller than that of an adult, a child’s thyroid gland will receive a higher radiation dose than the adult exposed to the same amount of iodine.
