Hairspray Linked to Male Genital Birth Defect
Hypospadias is when the urinary opening is displaced to the underside of the penis, and can occur at varying degrees. It is considered to be one of the most common birth defects of male genitalia and affects about 1 in 250 boys in the UK and the United States according to the study . If the defect is not at a severe degree surgical repair can be done in the first year of the boy's life.
Hairspray is linked to hypospadias because it has chemicals in it called phthalates which could be disrupting hormonal systems and may be causing pregnant women to have problems with reproductive development. Other studies have linked hypospadias to vegetarianism during pregnancy. But wait there is some good news! The new study also shows that taking folic acid supplements during the first trimester of pregnancy could reduce the risk of genital birth defects by 36 percent.
Professor Paul Elliott, the corresponding author of the research from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London , said: "Hypospadias is a condition that, if left untreated, can cause problems in later life. Although surgery to correct it is usually successful, any surgery will be traumatic for the child and his parents. It is encouraging that our study showed that taking folic acid supplements in pregnancy may reduce the risk of a child being born with the condition. Further research is needed to understand better why women exposed to hairspray at work in the first 3 months of pregnancy may have increased risk of giving birth to a boy with hypospadias."
Women should avoid being exposed to excessive amounts of hairspray during their beginning months of pregnancy to avoid this possible risk.
Sources:
Imperial College London . " Hairspray Is Linked To Common Genital Birth Defect, Says Study ." ScienceDaily 24 November 2008.
Published by Sumia Reyes
- Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to More Birth Defects: Cleft Lip/Cleft PalateA group of American and Swedish investigators have linked a missing gene and smoking to a group of facial and mouth defects. The authors said, however, that much work remains before conclusive results are seen.
- Few Risks of Birth Defects from Use of Certain Anti-Depressants During PregnancyA CDC study reportedly discovered very few birth defects to be caused by SSRI (Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant use by pregnant women.
- Little Risk of Birth Defects for Pregnant Women Taking Anti DepressantsA recent study finds newborns find little risk of birth defects from antidepressants when taken in early pregnancy.
- Study Links Obesity at the Time of Conception to Birth DefectsA new study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that women who are obese when they conceive are more likely to have babies with birth defects than are mothers of normal weig...
- Maternal Obesity Linked to Birth DefectsA recent study shows that maternal obesity may be linked to specific birth defects.
- Coloboma: A Very Rare Birth Defect
- Folic Acid Prevents Birth Defects
- Causes and Prevention of Birth Defects
- Seizure Medications and Birth Defects
- Where to Find Information Online About Birth Defects
- Abortion: Rape and Birth Defects are Not Good Enough Excuses to Terminate a Pregnancy
- Major Class of Psychiatric Medications Linked to Birth Defects