Iodinated Contrast Agents and Risk of Hypothyroidism in Young Children in the United States

Iodinated Contrast Agents and Risk of Hypothyroidism in Young Children in the United States

This study will estimate the incidence of hypothyroidism in a pediatric population of children under age 4, based on data from the US-based Kaiser Permanente Northern California database, which were exposed to iodinated contrast agent through having a diagnostic procedure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children under age 4 in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) database, who had a diagnostic procedure with an iodinated contrast agent.
• Participants should be member of the KPNC for at least 3 months before the iodinated contrast exposure, except where the child is under 3 months of age at time of initial exposure, and 2 weeks after the exposure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of hypothyroid any time prior to the iodine contrast exposure.
• Lab values for low thyroid (TSH > 5 mU/L for children) any time before the exposure
• Thyroid replacement therapy, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or congenital hypothyroidism any time prior to exposure.