Birth defects in Norway by levels of external and food-based exposure to radiation from Chernobyl

Journal Article · Sat Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · American Journal of Epidemiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:7013647

Lie, R T; Irgens, L M; Skjaerven, R; Reitan, J B; Strand, P; Strand, T ^[1]

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1. Medical Birth Registry of Norway, University of Bergen (Norway)

In Norway, external doses of radiation resulting from fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear accident were estimated from detailed measurements, including soil deposition patterns. Internal doses were estimated from measurements of radioactive cesium in meat and milk supplies. The doses were calculated as average monthly doses for each of 454 municipalities during 36 consecutive months after the accident in spring 1986. Prospectively collected data on all newborns listed in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway who were conceived in the period May 1983-April 1989 were used to assess possible dose-response relations between estimated external and food-based exposures and congenital malformations and some other conditions. A positive association was observed between total radiation dose (external plus food-based) and hydrocephaly, while a negative association was observed for Down's syndrome. However, an important conclusion of the study was that no associations were found for conditions previously reported to be associated with radiation, i.e., small head circumference, congenital cataracts, anencephaly, spina bifida, and low birth weight. Potential sources of bias, including exposure misclassification and incomplete ascertainment of cases, are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 7013647
• Journal Information: American Journal of Epidemiology; (United States), Vol. 136:4; ISSN 0002-9262
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
FOOD CHAINS
CONTAMINATION
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FALLOUT
NORWAY
RADIATION DOSES
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
ACCIDENTS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DOSES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EUROPE
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
LWGR TYPE REACTORS
MALFORMATIONS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
SCANDINAVIA
THERMAL REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
560162 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells