[The function of the hypophyseal-thyroid system in the children of Zhitomir Province living in areas polluted by the radionuclides resulting from the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

A study of 1167 children (age: 7-15 years) inhabiting districts contaminated with radionuclide due to Chernobyl atomic station accident indicates that children with thyroid hyperplasia revealed high requirement and intensity of the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones that results finally in relative hormonal deficit (subclinical hypothyroidism) and thyroid hyperplasia. This is a sequel of maximum functional tension of the thyroid with impending breakdown of adaptation and this should be considered as a pathological process requiring correction, i.e. presence of subclinical hypothyroidism in children with thyroid hyperplasia requires substitution therapy with thyroid hormones.