NYMC Faculty Publications
Congenital Anomalies, Prematurity, and Low Birth Weight Rates in Relation to Nuclear Power Plant proximity1)
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1515/jpm-2012-0061
Journal Title
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
First Page
429
Last Page
435
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2013
Department
Public Health
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.
Recommended Citation
Mangones, T., Visintainer, P., & Brumberg, H. (2013). Congenital Anomalies, Prematurity, and Low Birth Weight Rates in Relation to Nuclear Power Plant proximity1). Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 41 (4), 429-435. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2012-0061
