The effects of excessive radiation exposure on the growth of children

This article reviews studies done in the 1900's related to the physical growth of children exposed to radiation. Many animal studies have demonstrated strong correlations between bone growth and both the dose of radiation and age at radiation exposure. Human population studies come mainly from survivors of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and from children who have received radiotherapy, which also show evidence of inhibition of physical growth. Radiation exposure at a younger age had a greater impact on growth. There are two possible mechanisms for this effect: inhibition of epiphyseal plate growth, or impairment of endocrine organs due to radiation exposure. Although most studies were conducted after a large radiation dosage, they can still provide some guidance for conducting studies in populations at lower exposure levels.