18
over a 6-year period in the exposed population
been observed in 1957 in the children, when about
represent 48 per 1000, and the 20 births over a
10 had night blindness associated with vitamin A
deficiency.* The improvement may be due in part
to the argicultural program ontheisland resulting
4-year period for the unexposed population repre-
sent a rate of 62 per 1000. The four zn utero irradi-
ated children did not show any abnormalities nor
have they shown any impairmentof growth and
development.
in the availability of papaya and squash. The
usual numberof skin infections and fungusdis-
eases was noted, as was the usual incidence of
impetigo in the children.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
PEDIATRIC EXAMINATIONS
At the times of the 1959 and 1960 surveysof the
Marshallese, the people appeared to be generally
The numbersof children seen during the 1958,
1959, and 1960 surveys are summarized in Table
5. In the limited 1960 survey, only the body meas-
in a state of good health and nutrition. There was
no indication of vitamin deficiencies such as had
Table 5
Numbers of Children Examined in {958, 1959, and 1960
Exposed
Nonexposed with exposed parents
Nonexposed, Rongelap
Nonexposed, Majuro
Utirik
In 1960
In 1959
In 1958
35
10
51
0
0
34
20
82
15
60
39
13
88
20
0
In 1958 but
not in 1959
5 (5)*
0
16 (3)
6 (2)
0
In 1959 but
not in 1958
0
7
10
1
60
In 1959 but
not in 1960
0
10
34 (2)
15
60
* Numbers in parentheses are numbers of children not examined who had becomeadults or near-adults since the preceding survey.
Tabie 6
Summary of Physical Findings on Children, 1959
Elevated blood pressure**
Obesity in girls >10 years of age**
*Number examined.
Nonexposed with
exposed parents (20)
Nonexposed
Rongelap (82)
Nonexposed
Majuro (15)
10
0
2
0
7
1
0
0
25
6
0
4
0
0
2
0
4
5
14
8
I
1
0
0
0
1
2
6
2
0
0
0
0
1)
15
1]
36
13
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
8
3
0
I!
1
0
0
0/20
1/4
0/36
0/7
0/8
**Utirik group showed no elevated blood pressure in 58 children examined, and an incidenceofobesity in girls > 10
years of age of 7/16.
earne
Chronic impetigo (active)
Moiluscum contagiosum
Tinea versicolor
Chronic otitis media
Palpable liver
Under 3 cm
Over 3 cm
Cervical nodes
Axillary nodes
Rheumatic heart disease, inactive
Vitiligo
Cheilosis
Asthma
Loss of hearing, unilateral
Exposed
Rongelap (34)*