Congenital Diseases and the Environment

A. Mantovani, F. Maranghi (auth.), P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati, L. Hens, C.V. Howard (eds.)9781402048302, 1-4020-4830-0, 9781402048319, 1402048319

In recent years, increasing attention and resources have been brought to bear on the relationship between the environment and congenital diseases. These diseases were previously thought to be mostly due to genetic causes. Even though the importance of genes as factors in causation is accepted, environmental factors seem to be implicated just as strongly. This book explores some further concepts that have arisen from more recent perceptions of environmental effects and their possible interactions with living systems. Discussion and presentation of old and novel ideas is targeted at developing a more holistic and united perception of the interaction between congenital diseases and the environment.

Amongst the topics discussed are:

-effects of prenatal exposure to toxic chemicals

-intra-uterine exposure to drugs

-effects of endocrine disrupters

-environmental risk and sex ratio in newborns

-surveillance of environmental impact

-research and policy

This book will be of interest to researchers in environmental science and/or human ecology, health professionals, NGOs, and the general public.

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages 19-19
Endpoints for Prenatal Exposures in Toxicological Studies….Pages 21-36
Congenital Defects Or Adverse Developmental Effects In Vertebrate Wildlife: The Wildlife-Human Connection….Pages 37-87
Epidemiological Methods….Pages 89-130
Eurocat: Surveillance of Environmental Impact….Pages 131-145
Clinical Teratology….Pages 147-160
Front Matter….Pages 161-161
Dioxins and Congenital Malformations….Pages 163-181
Links Between in Utero Exposure to Pesticides and Effects on the Human Progeny does European Pesticide Policy Protect Health?….Pages 183-206
Association of Intra-Uterine Exposure to Drugs with Congenital Defects: The Thalidomide Effect….Pages 207-221
Front Matter….Pages 223-223
Endocrine Disrupter Exposure and Male Congenital Malformations….Pages 225-244
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome as a Congenital Disease….Pages 245-253
Endocrine Disrupters, Steroidogenesis and Inflammation….Pages 255-280
Environmental Impact on Congenital Diseases: The Case of Cryptorchidism Where are we now, and Where are we Going?….Pages 281-294
Environmental Risk and Sex Ratio in Newborns….Pages 295-319
Front Matter….Pages 321-321
Congenital Abnormalities in Greece: Functional Evaluation of Statistical Data 1981 – 1995….Pages 323-338
Congenital Anomalies in Bulgaria….Pages 339-357
Congenital Anomalies in the British Isles….Pages 359-377
European Union-Funded Research on Endocrine Disrupters and Underlying Policy….Pages 379-406
Front Matter….Pages 407-407
Environmental Impacts on Congenital Anomalies – Information for the Non-Expert Professional….Pages 409-450