Delayed radiation effects in children (fetuses) exposed to the A-bomb

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Igaku No Ayumi, v. 84, no. 13, pp. 754-759

OSTI ID:4365885

Kato, H

Among those born between 1945 August and 1946 May in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, those whose mothers were exposed to the atomic radiation within the distance of 2 km from the center of bombing were investigated in regard to delayed radiation effects. Those whose mothers were exposed to low-dose irradiation at the far distance from the center and those non-irradiation cases were also examined as control. Among 1292 investigated cases (1,073 of Hiroshima and 219 of Nagasaki), 196 were dead by 1969 according to the investigation conducted by ABCC during 1945 to 1969, in which the death rate of infants less than 1 year old was in proportion to the exposure dose of their mothers. However, no relation was observed between the death rate and exposure dose for those children with age between 1 year old and 9 years old. Cases of microcephalus and mental retardation were observed among those whose mothers were exposed to over 50 rad in Hiroshima and over 200 rad in Nagasaki, in particular those who had been within l5 weeks of age as fetuses at the time of bombing. The antibody response of those children seemed to return to normal level when they reached about 10 years old. The frequency of chromosomal aberration was observed higher among those exposed to a higher radiation dose, however, no clinical significance was obtained. Among those whose mothers received more than 10 rad, 4 to 8% of males and 20 to 30% of females now have children, no clinical effects were observed so far in regard to genetic radiation effects. No difference was observed in sex ratio of children born in the second generation of irradiated cases, however observation should be continuously carried out. (JA)

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Health, Hiroshima
• NSA Number: NSA-29-007963
• OSTI ID: 4365885
• Journal Information: Igaku No Ayumi, v. 84, no. 13, pp. 754-759, Journal Name: Igaku No Ayumi, v. 84, no. 13, pp. 754-759; ISSN IGAYA
• Country of Publication: Japan
• Language: Japanese

Related Subjects

*FETUSES-- DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
*NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS-- DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
A-BOMB SURVIVORS
CHILDREN
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
GROWTH
HIROSHIMA
IMMUNITY
LEUKEMIA
MORTALITY
N48510* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
NAGASAKI
PRENATAL IRRADIATION
RADIATION DOSES
STERILITY