eq Ture Te ee Te matwet eae 7 ee ere we ne ee he - ; Aeate TT = prea cer 3 - - a ~ cs ve . - : . . : - oe gee vt . a* _ children and to other factors it was estimated that the thyroid of a 3 to 4 year old child received 700-1400 rads from radioiodines in addition to 175 rads of gamma radiat‘on, that developed in 2 boys In view of thyroid atrophy it must be conceded that the doses to the thyroid in these 2 cases must have been considerably higher. Early thyroid studies. Even before the development of thyroid nodules was noted the evaluation of thyroid status of the exposed individuals received considerable attention since it was recognized that the slight growth retardation noted in some of the children might be related to radiation effects on that gland. However, based on physical examinations and serum PBI and cholesterol determinations each individual examined was believed to be euthyroid. Later, studies of serum iodines indicated that the Marshallese normally possess higher levels of fodoproteins than is usually found in other | a populations. | Thus the higher than expected PBI values in: some cases . oo may have obscured incipient thyroid deficiency at the time of early observations, | Development _of thyroid lesions. : ; Nine years after the accident an asymptomatic thyroid nodule was detected during routine annual physical examinations in a 12 year old girl and the following year two 13 year old girls who had been exposed were also found to have nodules of the gland. . Since then increasing numbers of thyroid abnormalities have appeared in the exposed Rongelap people. In 19 people nodularity of the gland has been the prominent finding while in 2 additional boys atrophy of the gland has developed. ee DOE ARCHIVES © /B4. Pee -