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Birth defects in Norway by levels of external and food-based exposure to radiation from Chernobyl
- Source :
- American journal of epidemiology. 136(4)
- Publication Year :
- 1992
-
Abstract
- 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.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Epidemiology
Chernobyl Nuclear Accident
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced
Nuclear Reactors
Radioactive contamination
Anencephaly
medicine
Humans
Food Contamination, Radioactive
business.industry
Obstetrics
Spina bifida
Norway
Infant, Newborn
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Environmental exposure
Environmental Exposure
medicine.disease
Low birth weight
Accidents
Congenital cataracts
Female
medicine.symptom
Down Syndrome
business
Nuclear medicine
Ukraine
Hydrocephalus
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00029262
- Volume :
- 136
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- American journal of epidemiology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fef102edcc15b026a66042f77bda70ce