PUBHLTH 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 60: Spina Bifida, Preterm Birth, Groundskeeping
Document Summary
Genetic screening (tay-sachs disease, hemophilia, & down syndrome) Newborn screening (pku (can"t breakdown amino acids) & hypothyroidism) Environmental exposure (tobacco smoke, viruses, heavy metals, drug use) Cause of more than 70% of birth defects are unknown. Mothers of infants with birth defects: interviewed about past exposures & provide dna samples. Control group: infants chosen at random from birth certificates of live-born infants with no birth defects. Risk factors to date: uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and also father"s occupation (artist, photographer, photo processor, landscaper, groundskeeper, or motor vehicle operator) Anencephaly: absence of large parts of brain. Spina bifida: underdevelopment of spinal cord or covering. Supplementation in the first month reduces incidence by 50% Fda requires fortification (1998) of flour, corn meal, pasta, & rice. Amount of fortification does not provide maximum benefit for protection. 6 of leading 11 causes due to preterm birth. Leading cause of infant death (30%) when all are combined.
