Out of all 96,438 babies born in Rivne (155 miles from where the nuclear power plant once stood) between 2000 and 2006 a higher than average rate of the children were born with serious brain and spinal issues including spina bifida. Spina Bifida translates to ´split spine' and is permanently disabling. It is caused when a baby is in the womb and the spinal cord fails to completely develop. The failure of the spinal cord developing leads to a bubble-like form on the back of the child that contains spinal fluid and spinal nerves. Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) is also common in children exposed to nuclear radiation. Vasilli is a 15 year old boy who has a defect caused by radiation that causes him to be the size of a small child. A two year old girl named Nadya has been diagnosed with Hydrocephaly, which is characterized by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. For Nayda it creates potential harm for her brain, the buildup can cause lots of pressure on brain tissue which can lead to dementia, mental impairment, and issues with walking. Another birth defect often found is babies to be born with much smaller heads than normal for the babies gender, age, and region around them. Epilepsy, tumors, deformed limbs, and Danny Walker Syndrome are also common birth defects.
This picture depicts a child with Hydrocephaly.
Here a child is pictured with deformed limbs
Here is Vasilli, the 15 year old boy who is the size of a small child.
Nayda, the two year old girl who also has been diagnosed with Hydrodephaly
Child of Chernobyl with deformed limbs