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Affects ofi ionizing
5S radiation i children
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1419
Wataru W. Sutow, M.D.,* and Robert A. Conard, M.D.**
HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND UPTON, N. Y.
4
TILiIs
REVIEWof recent literaiure was
rates is meager.
gested that voung children might be more
suscepiible than adults to the carcinovenic
action of radiation. Other data, however,
+
suow eye
ibatte leukcmiogencsis aiso may be associated with diagnostic radiation in the adult?
and that the incidences of radiation-incuced
lung tumors among asbestos and coal gas
workers, of bladder tumors in chemical
workers, and of leukemia among radiation-
relation to ave is particularly relevant to
creased with increasing age.™? Lack of knowl-
undertaken to obtain a perspective of radia-
tion effects on human beings, particularly the
eects on children. Although numerous reports indicate the occurrence of specific deleterlous effects a:ter high doses of radiation,
documentation of damage in manfollowing
chronic exposure to low doses and low dose
The question of differential sensitivity in
treated males with spondylitis in England in-
pediairic considerations. The publications
edge regarding the basic mechanisms in
suggesting tat feral irradiation at diagnostic
radiation carcinogenesis (and spontaneous
cancer}, in addition to the difficulties in-
rocntgenographic dose levels may be asso-
herent in the interpretation of epidemiologic
ciated subsequently with increased leukemo-
genesis and carcinogenesis’ * 5 have empha-
size the need to obtain more data on human
data, warns against uncritical acceptance oi
conclusions scemingly shown.7*"!!
after irradiation of the thymus during infancy *% 7 and the age pattern of leukemia
in
in the Japanese A-bomb data*° have sug-
the age dependence of such effects, particu-
beings. The occurrence of thyroid cancer
Considerable data have accumulated describing the effects of radiation on acult
human beings. However, less is known about
larly in regard to children. It is believed
that the young are somewhat more sensitive
From Tite Unizersity of Texas M.D.
cinderson Hospital and Tumor Institute,
to radiation than are adults and inis is
generally found to be true in studies on animals and from limited experience with ir-
Pediatric Section, Department of Medicine,
Houston, Texas, and the Medical Division,
Zrookkaven National Laboratory, Upton,
This work was supported in part by Public
Health Service Research Career Award
No. CA-2501-2 and by the U.S. Atomic
radiated human beings. In this paper, the
somatic and genetic effects of radiation in
the human being will be reviewed with spe-
Energy Commission.
cial attention to what is known about the
Address, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
flospital and Tumor Institute, 6723 Bertner Drive,
Houston, Texas.
**Address, Medical Division, Brookhaven National
Laooratory, Upton, Long Island, N.Y.
current attitudes toward the hazards of lowlevel radiation in children will be examined.
Long Island, N.Y.
relative sensitivity of children. Also, the
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