[The results of a cytogenetic examination of children who were victims of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station and who reside in an ecologically unfavorable region].

It has been detected that children evacuated from the zone with the elevated radioactivity level have the increased number of chromosomal and chromatid aberrations. The frequency of chromatid aberrations is 2.1-fold lower in country-side children than in children from industrial towns. Cytogenetic disturbances in immunocompetent cells correlate with the level of immune imbalance. Children born in families of liquidators of the ChNPP accident in the first year after their return from the accident zone have substantial cytogenetic and immune disturbances. Children living near sources of atmospheric pollution are characterized by the 3-4-fold increase in frequencies of chromatid anomalies and by the development of a pronounced immunodeficiency.