Chornobyl, radiation, neural tube defects, and microcephaly

Abstract

Pregnant women residing in areas impacted by the Chornobyl ionizing radiation of the Rivne Province in Ukraine have persistent higher levels of incorporated cesium-137. In these areas the neural tube defects and microcephaly rates are significantly higher than in areas with lower maternal cesium-137 incorporated levels. In two Rivne counties with populations proximal to nuclear power plants the rates of neural tube defects and microcephaly are the highest in the province. The neural tube defects rates in Rivne are persistently among the highest in Europe.

Keywords: Chornobyl; Cs-137; Ionizing radiation; Microcephaly; Neural tube defects; Ukraine.