Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. (2026).3(155): 35-41. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.3(155).3541
Matasar I. T., Chernyshov A. V.
SI "National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Haematology and Oncology of the NAMS of Ukraine", Kyiv

For citation: Matasar IT, Chernyshov AV. (2026). Features of the physical development and sociodemographic status of preschool children living in areas contaminated with radioactive substances and affected by iodine deficiency. Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. 3(155): 35-41. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.3(155).3541.
Article received: Nov 16, 2025. Accepted for publication: Apr 13, 2026.

Aim – to assess the anthropometric and sociodemographic indicators of preschool-age children living in the territories of the Kyiv region exposed to radioactive contamination (RCT) and characterized by iodine deficiency, and to analyze the relationship between socio-economic status and physical development.
Materials and methods. A total of 355 preschool-aged children (1-6 years) from the RCTs of the Ivankiv district, Kyiv region, and Kyiv city were examined. The studies were conducted in the winter-spring and summer-autumn periods. Anthropometric measurements (body length/weight, chest circumference (CC) were assessed using the sigma method. Sociodemographic data were collected through parental surveys. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test.
Results. The physical development of most children corresponded to average age norms. However, children living in the RCTs showed a statistically significant disparity in physical development, as evidenced by a significantly smaller CC compared to children in Kyiv. An analysis of sociodemographic indicators revealed that the average monthly income of families living in the RCTs was 2.3 times lower, and mothers predominantly had secondary or secondary vocational education.
Conclusions. Imbalanced (disharmonious) physical development of children from the RCTs’ rural areas may be associated with unfavorable socioeconomic factors, particularly low parental income and education. These findings highlight the importance of considering social factors when assessing the health status of children in ecologically disadvantaged regions.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: physical development, radioactively contaminated territories, sociodemographic status, preschool children, anthropometry.

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