Hairspray exposure may increase birth defect risk
Scientists have found preliminary evidence that exposure to hairspray during the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of a common genetic deformity in baby boys. The team found that the risk of hypospadias - a defect in which the urinary opening forms on the underside of the penis - increased from 4 in 1,000 boys to 9.6 in 1,000 when the mother was exposed to hairspray during her work. The team also found that folic acid, which mothers are advised to take during early pregnancy to avoid neural tube defects, seems to prevent hypospadias. Taking the supplement led to a 36% decrease in risk. Contrary to previous research, the scientists found that a vegetarian diet did not increase a mother's risk of giving birth to a boy with hypospadias.Prof Paul Elliott, head of epidemiology and public health at Imperial College London, said the study was too preliminary to...
Read the whole article on The Guardian - Science
More from The Guardian - Science
Related
- Hairspray is linked to common genital birth defect, says studyFri, 21 Nov 2008, 10:08:42 EST
- Increased risk of birth defects after PCE exposureWed, 23 Sep 2009, 19:43:10 EDT
- Obesity during pregnancy associated with increased risk of birth defectsTue, 10 Feb 2009, 16:36:47 EST
- Hypospadias, a birth defect of the male urethra, is not increasing in New York stateFri, 5 Jun 2009, 10:08:09 EDT
- Moms' smoking linked to increased risk of birth defectsWed, 5 Nov 2008, 7:15:26 EST