Birth defects research. Part A, Clinical and molecular teratology
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Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. · Jul 2016
A 2015 global update on folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.
Spina bifida and anencephaly are two major neural tube defects. They contribute substantially to perinatal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality and life-long disability. To monitor the progress toward the total prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA), we examined their global status in 2015. ⋯ Knowledge that folic acid prevents spina bifida and anencephaly has existed for 25 years, yet only a small fraction of FAP SBA is being prevented worldwide. Several countries still have 5- to 20-fold epidemics of FAP SBA. Implementation of mandatory fortification with folic acid offers governments a proven and rapid way to prevent FAP SBA-associated disability and mortality, and to help achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:520-529, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. · Apr 2016
Case ReportsConfined blood chimerism in a monochorionic dizygotic sex discordant twin pregnancy conceived after induced ovulation.
Monochorionic twins are generally considered as a monozygotic twin pregnancy. However, several cases of monochorial dizygotic twin pregnancies have been reported. ⋯ We report on a case of monochorionic dizygotic twin pregnancy. This observation underlies the need to carefully assess twin pregnancies, especially when obtained after assisted reproductive technology.
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Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. · Sep 2015
Preventable spina bifida and anencephaly in Europe.
Promotion of voluntary folic acid supplement use among women of reproductive age has been proven to be ineffective in lowering the risk of neural tube defects in Europe. ⋯ Europe has an epidemic of spina bifida and anencephaly compared with countries with mandatory folic acid fortification policy. Primary prevention through mandatory folic acid fortification would considerably reduce the number of affected pregnancies, and associated additional costs.
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Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. · Sep 2015
Sensory neuron differentiation potential of in utero mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta.
In previous studies, we found that the deficiency of sensory and motor neurons was a primary defect associated with the spinal malformation. Upon prenatal treatment of spina bifida through in utero stem cell transplantation in a retinoic acid-induced spina bifida rat model, we found that the mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) survived, migrated, and differentiated into cells of a neural lineage. In the present study, we investigated whether the transplanted MSCs had the potential to differentiate into sensory neurons or to protect sensory neurons in the defective spinal cord. ⋯ Our results indicate that the transplantation of MSCs into the spinal cord could promote the transplanted MSCs and the surrounding cells to differentiate toward a sensory neuron cell fate and to play an important role in protecting sensory neurons in DRG. This approach might be of value in the treatment of sensory neuron deficiency in spina bifida aperta.
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Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. · Mar 2015
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders among children in a Brazilian orphanage.
The objective was to investigate the frequency of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and ophthalmologic anomalies in orphanage children in Brazil. ⋯ Nearly half of the children living in the orphanage had neurodevelopmental disorders and a considerable number showed signs of damage from prenatal alcohol exposure. A broader look at the problem of FASD in Brazil and other South American countries is desirable to document the burden of disease and provide data for targeting prevention efforts.