Birth defect

A much more serious drawback to using chiral drugs as racemic mixtures is illustrated by thalidomide briefly employed as a sedative and antinausea drug in Europe during the period 1959-1962 The desired properties are those of (/ ) thalidomide (S) Thalido mide however has a very different spectrum of bio logical activity and was shown to be responsible for over 2000 cases of serious birth defects in children born to women who took it while pregnant... 

Thousands of studies of radiation and its risks have been conducted. Yet there is no conclusive evidence that low levels of radiation exposure cause either cancer or birth defects. The nuclear iadustry operates oa the coaservative ALARA approval, assumiag that any exposure iavolves some risk. 

Antimony is not known to cause cancer, birth defects, or affect reproduction in humans. However, antimony has been shown to cause lung cancer in laboratory animals that inhaled antimony-containing dusts and prolonged exposure to antimony can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, lungs, and stomach, in the form of vomiting and diarrhea. Heart problems can also result from overexposure to antimony (33). 

World Health Organization, Congenital Malformations Worldwide A Reportfrom the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems, Elsevier, Oxford, 1991, p. 113. 

May cause heritable genetic damage May cause birth defects... 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Eye protection Symptoms Following Exposure Vapors from very hot material may irritate eyes and produce headache, drowsiness, and convulsions General Treatment for Exposure Remove fresh air. Wash affected skin areas with water. Flush eyes with water Toxicity by Inhalation (ThresholdLimit Value) 5 mg/m Short-Term Exposure limits Not pertinent Toxicity by Ingestion Grade 1 LDjq 5 to 15 g/kg Late Toxicity Birth defects in rats polyneuritis in humans Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Not pertinent liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics No appreciable hazard. Practically harmless to the skin Odor Threshold Data not available. 

Wilson, J. G. (1973). Environment and Birth Defects. Academic Press, Baltimore. 

Teratogens Toxins that cause abnormal development or birth defects. 

A much more serious nuclear accident occurred at Chernobyl in the USSR on April 26, 1986, when one of the Chernobyl units experienced a full-core meltdown. The Chernobyl accident has been called the worse disaster of the industrial age. An area comprising more than 60,000 square miles in the Ukraine and Belarus was contaminated, and more than 160,000 people were evacuated. However, wind and water have spread the contamination, and many radiation-related illnesses, birth defects, and miscarriages have been attributed to the Chernobyl disaster. 

Immediately report by telephone to the EPA regional office any spill of a hazardous chemical that seriously threatens humans with cancer, birth defects, mutation, death, or serious prolonged incapacitation, or seriously threatens the environment with large-scale or ecologically significant population destruction. A written follow-up report is required within 15 days. 

A teratogen (the word is of Greek origin, meaning the induction of a monster) is a chemical, physical or viral factor causing birth defects. Exposure to teratogens can result in a wide range of structural abnormalities. 

These dru are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. Hydroxychloroquine is contraindicated in patients with porphyria (a group of serious inherited disorders affecting the bone marrow or the liver), psoriasis (chronic skin disorder), and retinal disease (may cause irreversible retinal damage). MTX is contraindicated during pregnancy because it is a Pregnancy Category X dmg and may cause birth defects... 

Avoid pregnancy while taking trimetiiadione the drug has caused serious birth defects. 

The adverse reactions associated with the menotropins include ovarian enlargement, hemoperitoneum (blood in the peritoneal cavity), abdominal discomfort, and febrile reactions. Urofollitropin administration may result in mild to moderate ovarian enlargement, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and irritation at the injection site Multiple births and birth defects have been reported with the use of both menotropins and urofollitropin. 

Before beginning therapy, be aware of the possibility of multiple births and birth defects. 

Item 19 List any pre-existing physician-diagnosed allergies, birth defects, medical conditions (including developmental and/or neurologic disorders) for the patient. 

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