International Journal of Epidemiology 2001;30:125-129
© International Epidemiological Association 2001
Cancer |
Patterns of acute leukaemia occurrence among children in the Chernobyl region
a Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciencesof Ukraine, Scientific Institute of Blood Transfusion, Ministry for Health Protection of Ukraine.
b Roswell Park Cancer Institute, USA.
Arthur M Michalek, Dean of Educational Affairs, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Carlton and Elm Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. E-mail: Arthur.Michalek{at}RoswellPark.org
Abstract
Background The Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986 released large quantities of radioactive material causing widespread contamination. In the Ukraine alone, more than 4 million people were exposed to radiation. The exact health consequences of this exposure are still being assessed.
Methods To ascertain the effect of in utero radiation exposure and the development of leukaemia, a review was undertaken of leukaemia sub-types occurring among children born in the year of the accident (1986) and followed 10 years post-exposure. A comparison was made of leukaemia cumulative incidence rates among children from both an exposed and unexposed oblast.
Results Rate ratios (RR) for the all cell types grouping of leukaemia revealed that rates in the exposed Oblast were significantly elevated for females, males and both genders combined. Rates of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were dramatically elevated for males and to a lesser extent for females. For both genders combined, the RR for ALL was more than three times greater in the exposed compared to the unexposed region.
Conclusion Study results suggest that the increased risk of leukaemia and acute leukaemia among those children born in 1986 and resident in radioactively contaminated territories may be associated with exposure to radiation resulting from the Chernobyl accident.
Keywords Chernobyl accident, radiation, leukaemia, incidence
Accepted 21 June 2000
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