Validation of established thyroid ultrasound volume norms in a Chernobyl cohort
Authors' conclusion
In this iodine-deficient cohort of young Belarusians exposed to 131I by Chernobyl fallout, thyroid ultrasound volumes differed substantially from MOH norms and established WHO standards, prompting a revision of diffuse goiter definition using cohort-specific normative values.
Study context
- Population
- Belarusians aged ≤18 years at the 1986 Chernobyl accident, iodine-deficient population exposed to 131I, with individual thyroid radiation dose estimates, screened 10–18 years later2,392 low-dose subset
- Participants
- 11,970 participants
- Exposure
- Cohort-specific thyroid volume norms vs Ministry of Health (MOH) norms, WHO and European standards
- Outcome
- Age- and sex-specific normative values for thyroid ultrasound volume
Methodological detailsnormative reference values, low-dose subset
- Normative reference values
- Low-dose subset
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Thyroid ultrasound volume norms vs established norms
- Age ≥18 years, males: internal norms higher than MOH norms
- 30%
- Age ≥18 years, females: internal norms lower than MOH norms
- 15-30%
- As a function of BSA, males: higher than European values
- about 40%
- As a function of BSA, females: higher than European values
- 30%
- Age 30-34 years, males: higher than European values
- 6%
- Age 30-34 years, females: higher than European values
- 26%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Urinary iodine concentration
- Did not significantly explain variance in thyroid volume beyond sex, age and BSA
Original publication
Validation of established thyroid ultrasound volume norms in a Chernobyl cohort. Eur Thyroid J. Published 18 June 2025. doi:10.
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