‘previous exposure to irrediation.
During the 4th and 5th exposure weeks an epidemic of
upper respiretory infection.occurred,
The respiratory infection consisted of moderate
malaise, pharyngitis with prominent lymphoid follicles, fever during the first day
and a surulent nasal and tracheal discharge for about 10 days.
It was of interest
to determine whether this respiratory infection could be correlated with the dose
of radiation received or changes in the leukocyte count.
There was no correlation
The respiratory infection in the medical personnel involved in the care and study
of the irradiated individuals was similar in incidence and severity.
Clinical Observations and Platelet Counts
Fleven individuals had platelet counts that fell es low as 35,000 to 65,000/mm3,
All individuals with platelet counts less than 100,000 per mm? were examined daily
for evidence of hemorrhage into the skin, rucuous membranes and retina.
examined daily for red cells and albimin.
ive menstruation,
Urine was
Women were questioned concerning excess-
The only evidence for any undue bleeding were two women who men
struated profusely at the time of their maximum platelet depression.
It was not
sufficient to cause them concern and subsided without any specific treatment,
The Effects on Pregnancy
Four women in the Rongelap group were pregnant when brought to Kwajalein.
Two were in the first trimester, one in the second trimester and one in the third
trimester.
There were no abnormal symptoms referable to pregnancy,
could be determined the pregnancy continued in the normal fashion.
group, one woman was in the second trimester,
individual in the third trimester.
In the Allinginae
Fetal movements were unaffected in the
The pregnant women kad a marked depression of
platelet counts but at no time was there any vaginal bleeding.
reexanination of the above women all had delivered.
were normal,
As far as
At the twelve month
Cne baby wes born dead the others
In the case of the one stillborn, irradiation occurred to the mother
either before conception or early in the first tricester,
It is possible that the
irrsdiation may have contributed but there is no way to prove this,
DOE aRcHnims
ALL