THE EFFECTS OF IN-UTERO DIAGNOSTIC X-IRRADIATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

High doses of X-irradiation may affect the developing human embryo and fetus, causing brain, eye, skeletal and other defects. Although the d oses used in diagnostic irradiation are not considered to be high enou gh to cause fetal anomalies, it is unknown whether they affect the lon g-term development of the in utero exposed children. Using the Bayley or McCarthy developmental scales we examined 52 children born to mothe rs exposed to diagnostic X-irradiation of the abdomen and/or pelvis du ring the first trimester of pregnancy, 60 children born to mothers exp osed during pregnancy (58 in the first trimester) to X-rays in areas o ther than the abdomen or pelvis, and 62 normal children without matern al exposure to X-rays during pregnancy. All children were aged 1-5 yea rs at examination. Parental socioeconomic status was the same in all t hree groups. There were no differences in the results of the medical a nd neurological examination, and in the motor or congnitive scores amo ng three groups. Embryonic or fetal exposure to X-irradiation in doses below 5 rads does not seem to have any effect on development during c hildhood.