Birth detects In perinatal infants in areas contiguous to Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant before its normal operation

Abstract

Objective To understand the status of birth defects among the perinatal infants in the areas contiguous to Hongyanhe nuclear power plant before its normal operation, so as to provide background information for the evaluation of the impact of nuclear power plant on birth defects. Methods From 1 October 1995 to 30 September 2009 the midwifery units at second class and above of Wafangdian City were asked to be in charge of recording the birth defects among the perinatal infants born during this period within the range of 50 km around the Hongyanhe nuclear power plant. Results The total number of birth defects was 697, and the maternal number was 83 779. The average defect rate was 83.20/104. There were significant differences in the birth defect rate among different years （X2 = 39.54 ,P 〈 0.05 ） , however, without linear trend therein, and among the survey areas（X^2 = 15.36 ,P 〈 0.05 ） as well. The top five birth defects were congenital heart disease （148 cases）, cleft lip with cleft palate （67 cases）, congenital hydrocephalus （63 cases） , and spina bifida （37 cases） and cleft lip （36 cases）. Conclusions The birth defect rate within the range of 50 km around the Hongyanhe nuclear power plant is lower than that of the region of Liaonin~ Province and the national rate of birth defects. Key words: Nuclear power plant; Birth defects; Perinatal infant