"Congenital anomalies, prematurity, and low birth weight rates in relation to nuclear power plant proximity1)" by Paul Visintainer

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Congenital anomalies, prematurity, and low birth weight rates in relation to nuclear power plant proximity1)

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Paul Visintainer, Baystate Health

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

7-1-2013

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to determine whether maternal residential proximity to a nuclear reactor is associated with prevalence of certain birth defects. STUDY DESIGN:

The New York State Vital Statistics and Congenital Malformations Registry data (1992-2001) were analyzed for five Hudson Valley counties in a 20-mile radius from the Indian Point nuclear reactor (Buchanan, NY, USA). Four zones of 5-mile increments were used to categorize proximity to the reactor. Data included congenital anomalies, low birth weight, and prematurity. RESULT:

Over the 10-year period, 702 malformations in 666 children were identified from a birth population of 328,124, yielding a regional rate of 2.1 major malformations per 1000 births. The prevalence of defects, low birth weight, and prematurity were not related to proximity to the nuclear power plant. CONCLUSION:

These data did not substantiate an association between maternal proximity to the reactor and certain birth defects and provide baseline data for comparison in the event of a nuclear accident.

Citation Information

Mangones T, Visintainer P, Brumberg HL. Congenital anomalies, prematurity, and low birth weight rates in relation to nuclear power plant proximity1). J Perinat Med. 2013 Jul;41(4):429-35.