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The role of nutritional and environmental health in preventing birth defects.

The causes of birth defects are in many cases multi-factorial. Genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle and nutrition can all contribute to an increased risk of birth abnormalities and illness during pregnancy. Studies to date have found that insufficient dietary folic acid can increase the incide...

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Published in:Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 155 - 161
Main Author: Setright, Russell
Format: pictorial tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Australian Traditional-Medicine Society Spring2018
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      pub: Australian Traditional-Medicine Society
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        atl: The role of nutritional and environmental health in preventing birth defects.
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        au: Setright, Russell
        affil: Accredited Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, and an educator in Advanced Life Support, First Aid, Emergency Care and Rescue
      sug:
        subj:
          Abnormalities Prevention and Control
          Nutrition
          Environmental Health
          Abnormalities Etiology
          Neural Tube Defects Etiology
          Infant, Low Birth Weight
          Folic Acid Therapeutic Use
          Hyperhomocysteinemia
          Pantothenic Acid
          Zinc
          Electromagnetic Fields
          Environmental Pollutants
          Mercury
          Seafood
          Vitamins Therapeutic Use
      ab: The causes of birth defects are in many cases multi-factorial. Genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle and nutrition can all contribute to an increased risk of birth abnormalities and illness during pregnancy. Studies to date have found that insufficient dietary folic acid can increase the incidence of neural tube defects. Areas where herbicides and pesticides are used regularly have an increased incidence of birth defects. A lack of dietary zinc and vitamin E is also linked to low birth weight, as is maternal and paternal smoking. Low dietary vitamin C and paternal smoking can cause damage to sperm DNA, which may also contribute to foetal abnormalities, and maternal drinking is associated with alcohol foetal syndrome. Most nutritional and environmental factors that contribute to birth defects can be modified. All healthcare professionals therefore need to more closely examine the role of dietary supplements and lifestyle changes required to reduce the prevalence of these abnormalities.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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