22
pared to those of their sibs are shown in Table 8.
Median heightfor controls at the chronological
sults are similar to those in last year’s report,’
for females. The skeletal ages for these same children as comparedto those of chronological age
peers are shown in Table 9. Subjects #3 and #5
continued to show markedretardation in physical
and skeletal growth. Subject +65 has showna
spurt in statural growth but continued to lack
somewhatin skeletal maturation. Calcium, phosphorus, and protein bound iodine determinations
on these children are given in Table 10. Clinically
no indication of any disorder involving mineral
metabolism or thyroid function was apparent.
cluded here. Again, little or no difference was apparent between the exposed and comparison
groups of the sameage, and therefore no discernible effect of radiation on the aging process was
age of 8 years was 122.5 cm for males and 120.0
LEUKEMIA SURVEY
On physical examination no evidence of lymphadenopathy, spleenomegaly, or othersigns ofleukemia were detected. Hematological examinations
showed no excessive leukocytosis or increased
numbers of immature leukocytes in smears. Baso-
phil counts on 4000 leukocytes on each individual
showed noelevation of the basophil counts. Alkaline phosphatase studies* on the blood smears
showed that, although some people had lowlevels,
this finding was not associated with any other findings suggestive of leukemia.
STUDIES OF AGING CRITERIA
The results of aging criteria studies are plotted
in Figures 16 to 32. Individual readings are
plotted (circles), and also mean valuesfor each 5-
year group combining exposed and unexposed
people (squares). The trend of each criterion with
increasing age is represented bya line of approximate best fit by eye except in the case of handgrip
data for males and females (Figures 30 and 31),
which were foundto fit the following formulas: **
Y=60—0.405A
(males);
Y=42—0.405A
(females)
where Y = handgrip in kilograms and A = age.
The values of the criteria either increase or decrease generally with increasing age. Since the re*Weare indebted to Dr. W.C. Moloney and Miss Lila Fliegelman of Boston City Hospital for carrying out the alkaline phos-
phatase analysis of blood smears.
**We are grateful to Dr. R. Hinchcliffe of the State University
of Iowa for making this observation.
10 A RE YEESELES niteEGR AMEE SOS
which weregiven in considerable detail, a lengthy
discussion of the various changeswill not be in-
noted. Further statistical analysis is needed for
more adequate evaluation of the various parameters and better estimates of biological age scores
for individuals. It is planned to repeat studies of
aging criteria every 2 to 3 years.
RESIDUAL BETA BURNS
Residual skin changes from beta burns sus-
tained in 1954 were observed with certainty in
about 10 individuals. Most of these residua consisted of mild changes such as varying degrees of
pigment alteration giving a mottled or blotchy appearance, sometimes accompanied by hvperkeratosis (increased rugosity) of the skin. Some showed
more pronounced changes than others, such as
atrophy and scarring. Noneofthe residuallesions
showed anygross tendency to changesassociated
with the development of chronic radiation dermalitis, nor was there anv evidence of malignant
changein anvof the lesions. As noted last vear. in
a few cases previously affected areas showed some
dark pigmented maculae (lentigo-like). A few appeared as raised moles. It is uncertain whether
these lesions are of casual developmentor related
to previous exposure. This type of pigmentation
was observed less extensively in the unexposed
comparison population. In 10 cases comparison of
pictures of these areas taken soon after the appearance of lesions in 1954 and then more recently
showed that the maculae had developed subsequentto the lesions. (See Figure 33.) Biopsies were
not taken this year but may be considered at a
later date for study of the histological appearance
of the lesions. In Table 11 are listed descriptions
of the residuallesions.
DENTAL SURVEY
A total of 59 school children were examined and
treated for caries prevention. Of these, 29 required
treatment such asfillings, extractions, and prophylaxis. In the total group 17 showed someevidence of enamel hypoplasia and indication ofpossible carious lesions in the nearfuture.