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Growth of school children with polychlorinated biphenyl poisoning or yusho
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Japan.
Insights
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) poisoning in Japan caused temporary growth suppression in children. Follow-up studies indicate that PCB exposure effects on growth were not significant long-term.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- A mass poisoning incident in Japan in 1968 involved exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), known as yusho.
- Initial reports indicated impaired growth in school children affected by yusho one year post-exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term impact of PCB (yusho) poisoning on the physical growth of affected Japanese school children.
- To determine if the adverse growth effects observed initially persisted over time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of physical examination data collected from yusho-affected children in 1970 and 1971.
- Comparison of growth increments in yusho cases against a control group.
Main Results:
- Growth suppression was observed in school children with yusho.
- However, growth increments in yusho cases approached the average values of the control group in subsequent years, indicating temporary effects.
Conclusions:
- The adverse effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (yusho) poisoning on children's growth appear to be temporary.
- Long-term monitoring suggests that growth patterns normalize over time following PCB exposure.
Abstract:
In 1968, a mass poisoning due to polychlorinated biphenyls or yusho occurred in Japan. It was reported that poor growth in school children with yusho was observed 1 year after the poisoning. This study was intended to ascertain whether or not the unfavorable effect of the polychlorinated biphenyl poisoning on growth among the school children with yusho is still appreciable. Data from the physical examinations made in 1970 and 1971 were collected and analyzed. The result obtained was that growth in yusho cases was suppressed temporarily and thereafter increments tended to be close to the average value in the control group.