Re: I-131 dose to pregnant woman

["Gibbs, S Julian" <s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu>]

One needs only to consult the biological literature in this 

specific case.  All animal data show clearly that the only effect 

from radiation exposure to the embryo before implantation is death. 

All-or-nothing, that is.  Meager human data support the animal 

work.  In humans, implantation occurs approximately 14 days post 

coitus.  There is frequently confusion as to fetal age: it could be 

post coitus but obstetricians frequently use the date of the last 

menstrual period instead.  In any event, exposure during the first 

14 days could have caused only one effect: preimplantation death of 

the embryo.  If such had been true, the woman would never have 

known she was pregnant.  The obvious fact that pregnancy continued 

can be taken as very strong evidence (virtual proof) of no 

radiation effect.



***********************************************************

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD              Office: 615-322-1477

Professor, Emeritus

Dept. of Radiology & Radiological Sciences

Vanderbilt University Medical Center     Home: 615-356-3615

209 Oxford House        Email:s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu

Nashville TN 37232-4245     or alias:j.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu

***********************************************************

The slogan of the times--whether for a nation or an indivi-

dual--seems to be "Selbst uber alles": Down with everything

and up with me.

                        Sir Robert Baden Powell

                        Founder, Boy Scouts

                        ca 1910

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