Skip to main content
  • Request an Appointment
  • MyChart
  • Pay a Bill or Get an Estimate
  • For Referring Providers
  • Explore UI Health Care
    • Adult Care
    • Pediatric Care
    • Cancer Center
    • Carver College of Medicine
Stead Family Children's Hospital
Main Menu
  • Find a Provider
  • Pediatric Services
  • Locations
  • Your Child's Visit
More Menu
Stead Family Children's Hospital
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19
  • Donations
  • Educational Resources & Support Groups
  • Health Topics
  • News and Stories
  • Pediatric Clinical Trials
  • Share Your Child's Story
  • Find a Provider
  • Pediatric Services
  • Locations
  • Your Child's Visit
  • Request an Appointment
  • MyChart
  • Pay a Bill or Get an Estimate
  • For Referring Providers
  • Explore UI Health Care
    • Adult Care
    • Pediatric Care
    • Cancer Center
    • Carver College of Medicine
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19
  • Donations
  • Educational Resources & Support Groups
  • Health Topics
  • News and Stories
  • Pediatric Clinical Trials
  • Share Your Child's Story
Stead Family Children's Hospital
  • Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disease Services
    • Hematology
    • I-131 MIBG Treatment Program
    • Leukemia and lymphoma
    • Neuro-oncology
    • Psychosocial Oncology
    • Sickle Cell Disease
    • Solid tumors
    • Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. I-131 MIBG Treatment Program
Email I-131 MIBG Treatment Program
Share I-131 MIBG Treatment Program on Facebook
Share I-131 MIBG Treatment Program on Twitter
Share I-131 MIBG Treatment Program on LinkedIn
Print I-131 MIBG Treatment Program

I-131 MIBG Treatment Program

Request an Appointment
For all requests:
1-888-573-5437
  • Refer a Patient
  • Find a Provider

Who Is I131 MIBG Treatment For?

  • I131 MIBG treatment is for patients with neuroblastoma that has not responded to regular therapy.
  • If your child's neuroblastoma has not responded to regular therapy, you may benefit from this option.

What is I-131 MIBG?

  • I-131 is a radioactive iodine used to kill certain types of cancer
  • metaiaodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) takes the radioactive iodine to your child’s tumor
  • I-131 MIBG looks like water. It will be given through your child’s IV (intravenous) or central line.

Before Deciding if Your Child Should Receive I-131 MIBG

  • You will have a clinic visit and meet with the MIBG team at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The team will review scans and records sent to us. We will talk about the treatment with you.
  • You and the MIBG team will meet to decide if this treatment is right for your child.

What to Expect Leading Up to Your Child Receiving I-131 MIBG

A week or two before your child comes for treatment, you will meet with members of the MIBG team:

  • Because I-131 MIBG is radioactive, the I-131 MIBG team will meet with you to share more information about:
    • Radiation safety for your child, family members and guests
    • What to bring (and not to bring) to the hospital
    • Other important information
  • A Child Life Specialist will talk about a plan for distraction and comfort for your child

The day before I-131 MIBG treatment:

  • Bring only items you will need for your child. Do NOT bring any special toys, clothes, or blankets as these items could get contaminated.
  • Your child will be admitted to the special room for I-131 MIBG treatment. The room will have a lead lining due to the radioactive iodine your child will be getting to treat the tumor. You will be able to stay with your child on the day of admission.
  • Your child will have a Foley catheter placed to drain urine from the bladder. Most children get sedation for their comfort.

The day of the I-131 MIBG treatment:

  • The lead-lined room will be set up by the radiation safety team
  • The nuclear medicine technologist will bring the I-131 MIBG dose, surrounded by a lead shield, to the room and give it through your child’s IV or central line over about 2 hours.

What to Expect After the I-131 MIBG is Done

  • Because of the radiation and for your safety, you must stay outside of your child’s room during and after the infusion
  • You will stay in a parent room very close to your child. You will be able to communicate with your child through a 2-way TV monitor. You will be able to see and talk to your child, and your child will be able to see and talk to you.
  • Your child will need to stay in or near the bed until the radiation level is safe. Your child will be able to play video games, watch TV, and play with toys.
  • Young children may find staying in bed hard, and the MIBG team will discuss the option of using medicines to help your child relax, if needed.
Sidebar content
  • Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disease Services
    • Hematology
    • I-131 MIBG Treatment Program
    • Leukemia and lymphoma
    • Neuro-oncology
    • Psychosocial Oncology
    • Sickle Cell Disease
    • Solid tumors
    • Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies

Our Care Team

David Dickens, MD, FAAP portrait

David
Dickens
MD, FAAP

  • Cancer and Blood Disease
  • Department of Pediatrics
4.82 out of 5 (95 ratings)

Ready to schedule?

Call our integrated call center to discuss appointment options.
Call 1-888-573-5437

Locations and Offices

Level 2: Pediatric Specialty Clinic
2800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Pediatric Public Elevators, Level 2
1-319-356-2229
Clinic
Pediatric Specialty Clinic Main Entrance
In Stead Family Children's Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Stead Family Children's Hospital

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States

1-888-573-5437
  • Your child's appointment
  • Directions and parking
  • See all locations
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

Patients & Visitors

  • Your child's visit
  • MyChart
  • Contact us
  • Find a provider
  • Browse medical services
  • Resources and support groups
  • News and patient stories
  • Share your child's story
  • Health topics

Employees & Community

  • Resources for referring providers
  • Refer a patient online
  • Request a consult
  • Clinical Trials
  • About us
  • Join our team
  • Employee updates
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practice
  • Web Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Translation services
  • Patient Experience Office
  • Guest and Concierge Services
  • Spiritual Services
  • Volunteer Services
  • Price Transparency
  • Sitemap
  • cancer.uiowa.edu
  • uihealthcare.org
  • medicine.uiowa.edu
  • Medicine Iowa Magazine
Copyright © 2025

The University of Iowa. All Rights Reserved.