International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 28, 941-948, Copyright © 1999 by International Epidemiological Association
H Dolk and R Nichols
BACKGROUND: Surveillance data from population-based congenital anomaly
registers in 16 regions of Europe (mainly Western Europe) were analysed to
assess the impact of the Chernobyl accident on the prevalence of selected
congenital anomalies. METHODS: Three cohorts of pregnancies were defined:
those exposed during the first month following Chernobyl (External Exposure
Cohort), the first year (Total Exposure Cohort) and the two subsequent
years (Control Cohort). Expected numbers of congenital anomalies in these
cohorts were calculated from 1980-1985 baseline rates. Registries were
grouped into three exposure categories according to first-year exposure
estimates. RESULTS: There was no overall or dose-related increase in
prevalence in the two exposed cohorts for Down's Syndrome, neural tube
defects, other central nervous system defects or eye defects. There was a
statistically significant overall 22% (95% CI: 13-31%) excess of Down's
Syndrome in the Control Cohort, with no dose-response relationship.
CONCLUSIONS: Chernobyl had no detectable impact on the prevalence of
congenital anomalies in Western Europe, suggesting that in retrospect the
widespread fear in the population about the possible effects of exposure on
the unborn fetus was not justified. An increasing prevalence of Down's
Syndrome in the 1980s, probably unrelated to Chernobyl, merits further
investigation.
ARTICLES
Evaluation of the impact of Chernobyl on the prevalence of congenital anomalies in 16 regions of Europe. EUROCAT Working Group
Environmental Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. h.dolk@lshtm.ac.uk
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