9
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
STUDIES IN CHILDREN
In addition to the routine pediatric examinations,
certain special anthropometric measurements on
the children were recorded. Such data included
age, weight, stature, sitting height, head circum-
ference, biacromial width, bi-iliac width, and calf
circumference. Roentgenographsofthe left wrists
were studied for skeletal maturation.
Blood samples were returned to the U.S. for
electrophoretic studies for glucose - 6 - phosphate
dehydrogenase and hemoglobin types.* Electrophoretic studies or 171 sera for immuneglobulins
were kindly carried out by Dr. R. Biitler and Dr.
A. Hassig at the Swiss Red Cross Laboratory,
Berne, Switzerland.
Protein-bound iodine determinations were made
on sera from 10 individuals who had previously
shownslightly elevated levels. The method of Foss,
Hankes, and Van Slyke’” was used.**
For chromosome studies, short-term blood cul-
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Hematological Examinations
Complete routine blood counts were carried out
with repeat counts on any persons showing abnormalities. White blood counts and red blood counts
were obtained with the electronic Coulter, which
has proved to be a verysatisfactory instrumentfor
examinations of this type in the field. Differential
counts were performed in the usual manner after
staining with Wright's fluid. Platelet counts were
done by phase microscopy. Hemoglobin was de-
termined by the cyan-hemoglobin technique with
the Lumitron colorimeter. Hematocrits were obtained by the microhematocrit method. Serum
proteins were determined with the Hitachi retractometer. Blood and serum samples for certain
studies to be described below were collected and
kept under refrigeration and finally shipped back
for study.
Blood smears were obtained for differential
study, alkaline phosphatase examinations*, and
basophil counts on 4000 white cells, as part of the
leukemiasurvey.
Bone marrow aspirations were done on 9
exposed people, and smears were prepared for
differential counts and morphological studies. In
addition, chromosome preparations were made on
tures were done on 10-ml samples from about 50
people. This blood was taken at the time of sampling for routine hematological studies. A modification of the technique of Moorehead"' was used.
The leukocytes were separated by centrifugation
and placed in culture bottles with growth medium
(Difco-199) and phytohemagglutinin (red kidney
bean extract prepared by Dr. L. Schiffer of BNL).
Dextran (3% ) was used in the initial separation
in some cases but was discontinued later since it
was found to be unnecessary in view of the rapid
settling of the red cells in the Marshallese. The cells
were cultured for 3 days at 37°C, after which
chromosome preparations were made as follows:
Cells were separated by centrifugation, washed with
Hanks’ solution, treated with hypotonic solution
(distilled water plus Hanks’ solution) for 8 to 10
min, and fixed in methyl alcohol—glacial acetic
acid (3 to 1); smears were prepared by blowing a
drop of the cell-rich sediment on a slide and air
drying. Only occasional slides were stained with
Giemsa’s stain for evaluation in the field. Final
staining and chromosome studies were carried out
at the Holy Ghost Hospital in Boston .t
Fasting blood sugar levels’? were obtained on
8 individuals who had shown positive urine sugars.t t Blood collected routinely for hematologi-
the aspirated material.
*We are grateful to Dr. Samuel H. Boyer of the Johns
Hopkins Hospital for carrying out these studies.
on 8 unexposed Rongelap peuple ind 7 Americans
**We are grateful to Dr. D. D. Van Slyke and Miss
Dorothy Ripperger of BNL for performing these analyses.
Blood volume determin ais «secre carried out
during the 1962 survey. During the 1961 survey
Americans. The analyses were done by the radioactive sodium chromate (Cr°*) technique.?
+ Underthe direction of one of us (W. C. M.). We are
grateful to Miss Geraldine Dowd and Miss Catherine
Dunn at the Holy Ghost Hospital, Boston, for their
assistance with these analyses.
“We are grateful to Miss Lila Fliegelman of the Boston
City Hospital for currying out the alkaline phosphatase
analysis of blood smears.
tt We wish to thank Dr. D. D. Van Slyke, Dr. L. V.
Hankes, and Miss D. Ripperger at BNL for carrying out
these analyses.
such studies had been made on 5 Marshallese and 5