The lack of negative outcome of Chernobyl accident in infants born between 26 April and 5 May 1986 in central Poland

The Institute of Mother and Child was invited in 1988 by professor J.Nauman to his Chernobyl program, so as to inspect children born after Chernobyl accident, particularly these born in first days following the accident dated 26 April 1986. The central part of Poland is covered with screening for congenital PKU and hypothyroidism therefore all children had estimated TSH-spot levels between 3rd and 5th day of life. So as to control the present state of general health and thyroid state in the study group a questionnaire with a letter to parents explaining the aim of the inquiry was sent. About 14000 letters were send from which around 12000 responses were returned to the Institute. From information received this way we draw the preliminary conclusion that no significant damage in health of these children or their siblings can be found. About 20% of the mothers admitted taking the Lugol solution in a last day of pregnancy. However it should be taken into account that these data were collected 2 years after the accident and are not fully reliable. In the period 1989-1990 a group of 1912 children (938 boys and 974 girls) was called to the Department of Endocrinology of the Institute and inspected. The age was from 2.9 to 4.2 years. All children had screening TSH-spot test result negative (below 30 μIU/ml). In the study group of 1912 children inspected no significant changes in thyroid state or general health state was found which could be connected with the Chernobyl accident. (author). 5 tabs