[The influence of radiation of the child mental development].

The paper presents the results of implementation of the first stage of WHO programme concerning consequences of the Chernobyl accident in terms of influence of radiation on mental health of children whose mothers were exposed to radiation. 4210 children born in the period from April 26, 1986 to February 1, 1987 in Byelorussia, Ukraine, Russia in contaminated and non-polluted (control) regions. In radiation-contaminated regions there was higher frequency of mental retardation and other mental disorders as well as deterioration of both mental and physic health of their parents. A preliminary character of the data obtained is emphasized as well as the necessity of more detailed follow-up of these groups.