Intake of iodine tablets via PEG/button

In the event of a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine can be spread through the air and absorbed into the thyroid gland when you breathe in contaminated air or ingest contaminated food and/or drink. Supplementation of natural iodine blocks the uptake of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland and thus reduces the risk of developing thyroid cancer. The authorities therefore recommend people under the age of 18, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding to take iodine tablets (in very special situations it may also be appropriate to use tablets for adults between 18 and 40). The Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority will then notify you. You should not take iodine tablets unless the authorities have encouraged you to do so.

Advice to take iodine tablets will often be given together with advice to stay indoors for up to 2 days. It is therefore important to have them stored at home. It is well documented that iodine taken as tablets has greater benefit than risk and it is therefore recommended that you take iodine when the authorities give advice about it.

Iodine tablets can be given via PEG/button and tube

Iodine tablets can be mixed in water and given via tube/PEG. Iodine is very soluble in water. There will be undissolved excipients when tablets are stirred into water.

For children over 1 month to 18 years:

1. Find the right dose for the child according to the dosage recommendations.

2. Find a probe syringe. Pull out the plunger on the syringe and place the tablet part/tablet(s) directly into the syringe. Put the piston back on.

3. Draw up 5 ml of water with the probe syringe containing the tablet part/tablet(s), and put a cap on the syringe. Turn the syringe back and forth until you get a solution with small white particles, this may take 3-5 minutes. The particles will not disappear.

4. Give the solution to the probe. If it is to be given in PEG, give the solution directly in PEG or use a short extension tube.

5. Rinse the probe syringe by drawing up 5 ml of water, turn the syringe slightly to get the remaining particles in the liquid, and then give this on the probe/in PEG. It is ok for a few grains to remain in the syringe.

6. If additional need to flush the probe/PEG, give 2-5 ml more water.

For children under 1 month:

1. Follow the mixing ratio listed in the dosage recommendation.

3. Draw up the correct number of milliliters from the solution in the glass with a probe syringe and give this on the probe. If it is to be given in PEG, give the solution directly in PEG or use a short extension tube.

4. Rinse the tube/PEG with 5 ml of water, use the same tube syringe as you gave the medicine. It is ok for a few grains to remain in the syringe.

Iodine tablets should not be given intravenously, or to premature babies

The use of iodine intravenously lacks documentation and the risk of mixing iodine to give intravenously for this indication is considered a risk that is greater than the benefit for the individual child. You don't know if it will cause damage. It has never been done for major incidents, and internationally, no country has this in its recommendations.

For premature children, as a general rule, iodine tablets are not recommended until the child passes the postmenstrual age of 37 weeks. Premature children are considered particularly vulnerable to metabolic disturbances after iodine intake, as thyroid function is central to the normal development of the child's brain, and for this patient group staying indoors is considered sufficient protection.

tips and advice

Children or young people who do not have sufficient absorption from the gut for nutrition to be taken in normally, still take some, so that iodine can be given as tablets if this has been agreed with a doctor who knows the child or young person in advance.

Contact a doctor if you are unsure whether your child or young person can take iodine tablets

Health personnel can contact The CBRNE Centre for advice on the individual patient.