Long-term effects of prenatal x-ray of human females: mortality and morbidity

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6059762

Meyer, M B; Tonascia, J

Experimental studies and long-term studies of humans exposed to ionizing radiation in utero and after birth show that these exposures increase the risk of cancer in childhood and in later life. A possible life-shortening effect has also been reported. This study followed to their mid-twenties 1458 women exposed in utero to diagnostic x-rays and 1458 matched, unexposed controls in Baltimore, Maryland, and obtained responses from over 100 women in each group. Information about general health and specific diseases was obtained from questionnaires. Deaths were ascertained through family members and death certificates. Mortality rates were slightly higher among exposure. Exposed women reported poor general health significantly more often than controls. Specific diseases occurred similarly in the two groups, although exposed women reported more epilepsy or fits, more ovarian tumors, and more high blood pressure. These strong correlation between weight and high blood pressure and the heavier weights of exposed women seemed to account for this difference. In summary, these matched exposed and control women, followed to their mid-twenties, experienced similar rates of morbidity and mortality. Radiation-induced cancers and life-shortening effects, if any, might not become evident until older ages.

• Research Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD
• OSTI ID: 6059762
• Journal Information: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States) Vol. 114:3; ISSN AJEPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPILEPSY
FEMALE GENITALS
FEMALES
FERTILITY
FETUSES
GERM CELLS
GYNECOLOGY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
LOW DOSE IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
OOCYTES
ORGANS
PREGNANCY
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
PRENATAL IRRADIATION
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
REPRODUCTION
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
STERILITY
VERTEBRATES
WOMEN
X RADIATION