PEDIATRICS Vol. 19 No. 4 April 1957, pp. 607-613
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INCIDENCE OF ABNORMAL URINARY FINDINGS IN CHILDREN EXPOSED TO THE ATOMIC BOMB IN HIROSHIMA

Margaret P. Sullivan M.D.1 and Yasushi Takahashi M.D.1

1 Committee on Atomic Casualties, National Academy of Sciences–National Research Council, Washington, D.C.

Urinary abnormalities have been studied in 2,031 boys (1,039 exposed, 992 control) and 1,963 girls (985 exposed, 978 control) in Hiroshima, Japan, as a part of the continuing medical survey being carried on by the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission from 1951 through 1953.

A history of nephritis was given by .28% of exposed boys, .49% of control boys, .20% of exposed girls, and .20% of control girls. Isolated abnormalities were found in 2.3% of exposed boys, 1.9% of control boys, 3.8% of exposed girls and 2.6% of control girls. Brief, transitory urinary changes without further evidence of urinary tract disease were found in 1.3% of exposed boys, .91% of control boys, 1.2% of exposed girls and .81% of control girls. Abnormalities were present for as long as 1 year in .48% of exposed boys, .40% of control boys, .81% of exposed girls, and .72% of control girls. There was no evidence of permanent damage in the 22 children in this group of 24 with adequate follow-up studies. Chronic renal disease, active or inactive, was suspected in .48% of exposed boys, .60% of control boys, 1.8% of exposed girls and 1.0% of control girls who showed urine abnormalities for longer than 1 year.

Case summaries have been presented in relation to six exposed children with histories of nephritis or with albuminuria and hematuria who had experienced one or more of the major radiation symptoms after the bombing.

There was no statistical difference in the incidence of nephritis or urinary abnormalities of a serious nature between the exposed and control groups. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of major radiation symptoms when the entire exposed group was compared with exposed children showing urinary findings of a serious nature.

The above data should be considered a progress report. The urinary findings in this study group should be reviewed in the future to determine whether or not renal damage has occurred in children exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

Submitted on August 15, 1956
Accepted on September 28, 1956