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Birth defects in Tarnaveni area, Romania - preliminary study results
Razvan Mihaileanu1,2,3, Iulia Adina Neamtiu2,4,5, Michael Bloom6
11 Gynecology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Insights
This study found a 3.3% prevalence of major birth defects in Tarnaveni between 2010-2014. These preliminary findings suggest a need to investigate potential links between toxic metal exposure and birth defect rates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital malformations, or birth defects, can occur during human development.
- Tarnaveni is located near a former chemical plant and hazardous waste site.
- A pilot study was needed to assess birth defect prevalence in this area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of birth defects in the Tarnaveni area over a 5-year period (2010-2014).
- To evaluate the necessity of further research into the potential relationship between toxic metal exposure from past industrial activities and birth defect rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved birth data (gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference, major structural birth defects) from Tarnaveni Municipal Hospital records (2010-2014).
- Calculated birth weight Z-scores, ponderal index, and determined the 5-year prevalence of birth defects among live births.
Main Results:
- The 5-year prevalence of major structural birth defects was 3.3% (95% CI: 2.47, 4.09).
- Preterm deliveries accounted for 8.7% of births, and 10% were low birth weight (LBW).
- Average ponderal index was 2.2 g/cm³.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary data indicate a 3.3% prevalence of major structural birth defects in Tarnaveni newborns from 2010-2014.
- These findings highlight the need for comprehensive investigation into potential links between environmental toxic metal exposure and birth defect prevalence.
Background And Aims:
In the development of any human body, defects may occur, resulting in the occurrence of congenital malformations, also referred to as birth defects. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the prevalence of birth defects registered during a period of 5 years in Tarnaveni area. As Tarnaveni is located in close proximity to a former chemical plant, a recognized hazardous waste site, we conducted this pilot study to assess the prevalence of birth defects, in order to evaluate the need for a more comprehensive investigation of a potential relation between the exposure to toxic metals contaminating the environmental media as a result of the past industrial activities, and the prevalence of the birth defects in this area.
Methods:
We abstracted birth information (gestational age at delivery (GA), birth weight (BW), birth length (BL), head circumference (HC), and major structural birth defects), from medical records at "Dr. Gheorghe Marinescu" Tarnaveni Municipal Hospital, of the 2010-2014 period. We expressed BW as Z-scores relative to expected mean values at each gestational age for a reference population, calculated the ponderal index, and determined the 5 years birth defects prevalence among live births during the study interval.
Results:
The 5 years (2010-2014) prevalence of birth defects, was 3.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.47, 4.09). There were n = 163 (8.7%) preterm deliveries (less than 37 weeks of gestation at delivery), mean birth weight was 3108.3 g (standard deviation (SD) = 517.1), ranging from 450-4600 g, and n = 187 (10%) were low birth weight (LBW) (less than 2500 g). The ponderal index was 2.2 g/cm3 on average (SD = 0.5), with range 1.2-20.7 g/cm3.
Conclusions:
While preliminary, our data show a 5 years (2010-2014) prevalence of major structural birth defects among newborns from Tarnaveni area of 3.3%. These pilot results indicate the need for a more comprehensive investigation of a potential relation between the exposure to toxic metals contaminating the environmental media as a result of the past industrial activities and the prevalence of the birth defects in Tarnaveni area.
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