Unborn babies exposed to Gulf of Mexico's water, beaches, air, land and seafood may be at higher risk of having their hearts malformed before birth and having congenital heart disease for life, US researchers said Saturday. The new research may shed light on sharp increases in both Gulf miscarriages and Gulf dead baby dolphins.
"Fetal organs develop largely in the first trimester and all the key organs are formed by the 14th week of pregnancy. Any major defect can develop in this time frame and lead to a risk of miscarriage. For example a fetal heart not developing properly can cause the heart activity to stop, even if it was beating previously." ("Why do miscarriages occur?", Welcome Baby Home)
Crude miscarriages and Infant deaths
Women from areas throughout the Gulf Coast region have reported to Dupré that they are aware of a surge in miscarriages since April 2010 when the Deep Water Horizon oil well exploded. (See "Gulf Plague Miscarriages Surging" Youtube video embedded on this page left.)
Fetal congenital heart disease, usually called congenital heart disease, is the most common of all birth defects in the United States according to lead author of the newly completely study and Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, D. Gail McCarver.
The recent research conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin indicates that one poisonous crude oil component, ethyl benzene could elevate fetal malformation and congenital heart disease risks among babies, if exposed to this chemical before birth according to AP.
Fetal congenital heart disease occurs when the heart is deformed or malformed before birth. Previous studies suggested it could be caused by chemicals in the environment. In the new study, researchers examined stool samples from 135 newborn babies with the heart condition and 432 infants without it.
Government studies have previously attributed congenital heart defect to smoking an diabetes. CDC's National Birth Defects Prevention Study reports finding increased risk for congenital heart defects associated with maternal obesity (4), diabetes (5), and smoking (6)," CDC states on its website about Congenital Heart Awareness Week. Corporations often fund research used by the government.
Birth defects, (especially those of blood vessels) account for most infant deaths, especially after the first week of life.
Defects of the heart (CHD) is responsible for one-third of deaths between birth and first year of life.
Former research reported by Disabled World in 2010 conducted by Suzanne Gilboa, Ph.D. showed that death rates from congenital heart defects were highest among non-Hispanic blacks compared with other groups.
Infant deaths consistently account for the highest proportion of deaths due to congenital heart defects, said Dr. Gilboa, Ph.D.
The death certificate is filled out at the time of death by healthcare providers before an autopsy is done and often based on limited information on the medical history of the deceased. Consequently, death certificate reports of causes of death are not always accurate and data from such reports can be inconsistent, Gilboa said
In Dr. Gilboa's study, 48 percent of the deaths were among infants.
Dr. Anita Grady says heart abnormalities can be accurately diagnosed before birth by fetal echocardiography and, that in most cases, this leads to improved postnatal management.
"In a few cases, it may also allow for fetal intervention—such as opening up an obstructed valve (and thus prevent abnormal development of the pumping chamber) or treating abnormalities of the fetal heart rhythm in utero."
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