chds and the environment

Birth Defect Research for Children (www.birthdefects.org) has started a new network for heart defect support groups and families who have children with Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs). to provide information about the latest research on the connections between CHDs and environmental exposures. Briefs for new studies will be posted on this site each month. Families and support groups for CHDs are also invited to post their comments.

Friday, October 22, 2004

chds and the environment

chds and the environment"Doctors and nurses need more environmental health training to prevent, recognize, and treat diseases caused by environmental exposures, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Experts recommend that medical and nursing schools add environmental health topics to training programs."

To read the rest of the news release go to http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/pedtrng.htm

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

chds and the environment

chds and the environment The full text of this article is available at the following link.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/113/4/S1/1058

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

CHDs and the Environment

CHDs and the Environment This is an interesting study. How can I get a copy of the entire article?

Monday, October 18, 2004

Congenital Heart Defects and the Environment

CHD Research Brief - October, 2004


Pediatrics. 2004 Apr;113(4 Suppl):1058-69.

Effects of environmental exposures on the cardiovascular system: prenatal period through adolescence.Mone SM, Gillman MW, Miller TL, Herman EH, Lipshultz SE.Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.Exposures to drugs, chemical and biological agents, therapeutic radiation, and other factors before and after birth can lead to pediatric or adult cardiovascular anomalies. Furthermore, nutritional deficiencies in the perinatal period can cause cardiovascular anomalies. These anomalies may affect heart structure, the conduction system, the myocardium, blood pressure, or cholesterol metabolism. Developmental periods before and after birth are associated with different types of risks. The embryonic period is the critical window of vulnerability for congenital malformations. The fetal period seems to have lifelong effects on coronary heart disease and its precursors. During the weeks immediately after birth, susceptibility to myocardial damage seems to be high. Exposure to cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy in childhood raises the risk of long-term progressive left ventricular dysfunction and other cardiovascular problems. In childhood and adolescence, use of recreational drugs such as cocaine and tobacco poses cardiovascular dangers as well. Where evidence about environmental exposures is limited, we have included models of disease and other exposures that are suggestive of the potential impact of environmental exposures.