Birth Defects News and Research

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March of Dimes poll finds majority of pregnant women worry about birth defects

The March of Dimes polled about 1,200 moms to find out exactly what it is that caused them to lose sleep (other than the fact they were pregnant!) while they were pregnant. The results were presented today at the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council luncheon where experienced, practicing obstetricians and gynecologists discussed the survey results, as well as some of the frequently asked questions their patients ask.

9 Dec 2009

ASH meeting highlights H1N1 pandemic threat, new trends and treatment options for children with genetic blood disorder

Sickle cell disease, a condition characterized by deformed and dysfunctional red blood cells, is one of the most common genetic blood disorders affecting millions of people around the world, including more than 70,000 Americans (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

8 Dec 2009

Study finds substantial variation in hydroxyurea utilization for sickle cell disease

A new study by researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee, found a substantial variation in hydroxyurea utilization for pain and other sickle cell disease complications in children.

7 Dec 2009

Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss can increase the incidence of infectious diseases

The extinction of plant and animal species can be likened to emptying a museum of its collection, or dumping a cabinet full of potential medicines into the trash, or replacing every local cuisine with McDonald's burgers.

4 Dec 2009

Breast Cancer Fund: Congress must enforce BPA ban in food and beverage containers

In the wake of the first evidence that American babies are born contaminated with a plastics chemical linked to birth defects and breast cancer, Congress must act immediately to protect infants and mothers.

3 Dec 2009

Columbia University VP testifies on medical malpractice reform

Lee Goldman, M.D., executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences and dean of the faculties of medicine and health sciences at Columbia University testified today on medical malpractice reform before the New York State Senate Committees on Codes, Health and Insurance in Albany, New York.

2 Dec 2009

New scientific breakthrough may allow doctors to reverse cleft palate in humans

In a study newly published in the journal Development, investigators at the USC School of Dentistry describe how to non-surgically reverse the onset of cleft palate in fetal mice - potentially one step in the journey to a better understanding of similar defects in humans.

2 Dec 2009

'Botax' on cosmetic surgery questioned

The Associated Press: "The White House and Senate Democrats have turned to a proposal to tax breast implants, tummy tucks, wrinkle-smoothing injections and other procedures as they search for ways to pay for costly health care overhaul plans." The Senate health bill, which was unveiled Wednesday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada "would slap a 5 percent excise tax on elective cosmetic surgeries and procedures to help pay for expanding coverage to the uninsured."

20 Nov 2009

Scientists use exome sequencing method to discover the cause of mendelian disorder

For the first time, scientists have successfully used a method called exome sequencing to quickly discover a previously unknown gene responsible for a mendelian disorder.

20 Nov 2009

New report finds positive association between phthalate exposure and ADHD symptoms

Phthalates are important components of many consumer products, including toys, cleaning materials, plastics, and personal care items. Studies to date on phthalates have been inconsistent, with some linking exposure to these chemicals to hormone disruptions, birth defects, asthma, and reproductive problems, while others have found no significant association between exposure and adverse effects.

19 Nov 2009

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Developmental biologists at the University of Pittsburgh have been chosen to participate in a $100 million federal "Bench to Bassinet" network that is dedicated to learning about the formation of the cardiovascular system and applying that knowledge to create new diagnostic and intervention strategies for congenital heart disease.

18 Nov 2009

Study examines link between folic acid and cancer incidence

Patients with heart disease in Norway, a country with no fortification of foods with folic acid, had an associated increased risk of cancer and death from any cause if they had received treatment with folic acid and vitamin B12, according to a study in the November 18 issue of JAMA.

18 Nov 2009

FaceBase Consortium established to create encyclopedic database on facial birth defects

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Iowa will lead a $9 million, five-year initiative to study the cause of facial birth defects. The FaceBase Consortium will create an encyclopedic database of how the faces of children develop and what goes wrong to cause malformations.

18 Nov 2009

Almost half of the women in the UK suffer from lack of vitamin A, find scientists

Almost half of UK women could be suffering from a lack of vitamin A due to a previously undiscovered genetic variation, scientists at Newcastle University have found.

18 Nov 2009

Scientists solve 50-year-old thalidomide puzzle

Research into the controversial drug thalidomide reveals that the mechanism through which the drug causes limb defects is the same process which causes it to damage internal organs and other tissues. The article, published in Bio-Essays, outlines the challenges surrounding thalidomide research and claims that confirmation of a 'common mechanism' could lead to new treatments for Leprosy, Crohn's Disease, AIDS and some forms of cancer..

17 Nov 2009

Economic crisis impacts health department capacity to address rising STD rates

Amid the mounting toll of budget cuts across the country, a new study from the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) shows just how much an impact the economic crisis is having on sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs and in turn, having more broadly on public health infrastructure.

17 Nov 2009

Cytoskeleton plays a critical role to bring chromosome pairs together: Study

Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Yet, how the cell precisely choreographs these chromosomal interactions is a long-standing question.

16 Nov 2009

Co-founders of Signature Genomics recognized with Inland Northwest Catalyst Award

Signature Genomics, which performs diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained mental retardation and/or birth defects, today announced company co-founders Dr. Lisa G. Shaffer, Ph.D., and Dr. Bassem A. Bejjani, M.D. have received the 2009 Inland Northwest Catalyst Award for Innovators of the Year.

12 Nov 2009

Tel Aviv University develops innovative algorithms to combat Intra-uterine growth restrictions for healthy babies

When a fetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy, due to associated problems like a poorly developed heart, health concerns as severe as brain damage can result.

11 Nov 2009

Gastroschisis may be associated with infections during pregnancy

Results of an investigation conducted by University of Nevada, Reno researchers, public health officials and area physicians published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, indicate that Washoe County experienced a cluster of a particular birth defect, gastroschisis, during the period April 2007 - April 2008.

7 Nov 2009

Birth Defects News and Research

March of Dimes poll finds majority of pregnant women worry about birth defects

ASH meeting highlights H1N1 pandemic threat, new trends and treatment options for children with genetic blood disorder

Study finds substantial variation in hydroxyurea utilization for sickle cell disease

Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss can increase the incidence of infectious diseases

Breast Cancer Fund: Congress must enforce BPA ban in food and beverage containers

Columbia University VP testifies on medical malpractice reform

New scientific breakthrough may allow doctors to reverse cleft palate in humans

'Botax' on cosmetic surgery questioned

Scientists use exome sequencing method to discover the cause of mendelian disorder

New report finds positive association between phthalate exposure and ADHD symptoms

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Study examines link between folic acid and cancer incidence

FaceBase Consortium established to create encyclopedic database on facial birth defects

Almost half of the women in the UK suffer from lack of vitamin A, find scientists

Scientists solve 50-year-old thalidomide puzzle

Economic crisis impacts health department capacity to address rising STD rates

Cytoskeleton plays a critical role to bring chromosome pairs together: Study

Co-founders of Signature Genomics recognized with Inland Northwest Catalyst Award

Tel Aviv University develops innovative algorithms to combat Intra-uterine growth restrictions for healthy babies

Gastroschisis may be associated with infections during pregnancy

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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