Pilot study of congenital anomaly rates at birth in Fallujah, Iraq, 2010

Alaani, Samira; Al-Fallouji, M. A. R.; Busby, Chris; Hamdan, Malak

doi:10.5915/44-1-10463

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…The high concentrations of uranium in the scalp hair from the Fallujah subjects could not be attributed to either the soil or the water concentrations of uranium. -… these results support the belief that the effects in Fallujah follow the development of a uranium-based weapon or weapons of some unknown type‖ [86]. However, a subsequent review of the literature on congenital abnormalities in Iraq concluded, -As no [sic] enough data on pre 1991 Gulf War prevalence of birth defects in Iraq are not available, the ranges of birth defects reported in the reviewed studies from Iraq most probably do not provide a clear indication of a possible environmental exposure including DU or other teratogenic agents although the country has faced several environmental challenges since 1980‖ [87].…”

Section: Collateral Injuriessupporting

confidence: 77%

The Chemistry and Toxicology of Depleted Uranium

Katz

2014

Toxics

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Natural uranium is comprised of three radioactive isotopes: 238 U, 235 U, and 234 U. Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of the processes for the enrichment of the naturally occurring 235 U isotope. The world wide stock pile contains some 1½ million tons of depleted uranium. Some of it has been used to dilute weapons grade uranium (~90% 235 U) down to reactor grade uranium (~5% 235 U), and some of it has been used for heavy tank armor and for the fabrication of armor-piercing bullets and missiles. Such weapons were used by the military in the Persian Gulf, the Balkans and elsewhere. The testing of depleted uranium weapons and their use in combat has resulted in environmental contamination and human exposure. Although the chemical and the toxicological behaviors of depleted uranium are essentially the same as those of natural uranium, the respective chemical forms and isotopic compositions in which they usually occur are different. The chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium can injure biological systems. Normal functioning of the kidney, liver, lung, and heart can be adversely affected by depleted uranium intoxication. The focus of this review is on the chemical and toxicological properties of depleted and natural uranium and some of the possible consequences from long term, low dose exposure to depleted uranium in the environment.

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Section: Collateral Injuriessupporting

confidence: 77%

The Chemistry and Toxicology of Depleted Uranium

Katz

2014

Toxics

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“…In the last decade of the 20th century and continuing in the present one, intense military operations on wide geographic extensions have been taking place. From some of the affected countries, medical personnel reported an increase in negative birth outcomes [1][2][3][4][5] and in non-communicable diseases, including cancers, and similar news arrived from shooting grounds and retired military [6,7]. It is known that weaponry contributes to the deterioration of the environment causing acute events of pollution with cancerogenic and teratogenic substances; chronic contamination of the post-war areas by chemicals stable in time in the environment occurs and these are under scrutiny for the relevance for health of heavy metals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long Term Risks to Neonatal Health from Exposure to War—9 Years Long Survey of Reproductive Health and Contamination by Weapon-Delivered Heavy Metals in Gaza, Palestine

Manduca¹,

Baraquni

Parodi

2020

IJERPH

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Introduction: High levels of environmental contaminants with long term effects and teratogenic and carcinogenic potential, such as heavy metals, were introduced by weaponry in war areas in the last decades. Poorer reproductive health and increases in non-communicable diseases were reported after wars and are the suspected long term effects of contamination by stable war remnants. Although potentially affecting millions of people, this is still an understudied issue of public health. Background: Gaza, Palestine since 2006 has been an object of repeated severe military attacks that left heavy metals remnants in the environment, in wound tissues and that were assumed by the population. Retrospective studies showed a progressive increase in birth defects since the 2006 attacks. In 2011 we started surveillance at birth alongside analysis of the heavy metals load carried by pregnant women and their babies. Methods: We used protocols for birth registration which also document the extent of exposures to attacks, war remnants and to other environmental risks that allow comparison of 3 data sets-2011, 2016 and 2018-2019 (4000-6000 women in each set). By ICP/MS analysis we determined the content of 23 metals in mothers' hair. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results: Comparison of data in birth registers showed a major increase in the prevalence in birth defects and preterm babies between 2011 and 2016, respectively from 1.1 to 1.8% and from 1.1 to 7.9%, values remaining stable in 2019. Negative outcomes at birth in 2016 up to 2019 were associated with exposure of the mothers to the attacks in 2014 and/or to hot spots of heavy metals contamination. Metal loads since the attacks in 2014 were consistently high until 2018-2019 for barium, arsenic, cobalt, cadmium, chrome, vanadium and uranium, pointing to these metals as potential inducers for the increased prevalence of negative health outcomes at birth since 2016. Conclusions: Bodily accumulation of metals following exposure whilst residing in attacked buildings predispose women to negative birth outcomes. We do not know if the metals act in synergy. Trial for mitigation of the documented negative effects of high metal load on reproductive health, and ensuing perinatal deaths, could now be done in Gaza, based on this documentary record. High load of heavy metals may explain recent increases in non-communicable diseases and cancers at all ages in Gaza. Modern war's legacy of diseases and deaths extends in time to populations and demands monitoring.Keywords: surveillance at birth and prevalence of birth defects and preterm babies; heavy metal load in human cohorts; exposure to war and weapon-remnants; relevance of acute and chronic exposure to heavy metals in environment for reproductive health outcomes Int.

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“…Anectodal reports indicated increasing incidence of birth defects in the years following US attacks in 2004 which proved to be due to irradiation 5,6,7,8 . The health system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence: A Case Report in Fallujah Maternity and Children Hospital, Fallujah, Iraq

Alaani¹

2015

CMR

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Introduction. Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a rare complication of multiple pregnancy caused by defects in early embryogenesis. The pump twin supplies the acardiac recipient twin with blood, and although the pump twin is usually structurally normal, congenital anomalies have sometimes been reported. We report a case of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence with feet polydactly in the surviving pump twin. This was the 1 st case reported in Fallujah city, Iraq. Case report. A 22 years old. gravida 2, para 0. abortion 1, full term lady presented to the delivery room with labour pain with no history of any prenatal care. She gave no history of any familial congenital anomaly and there was no history of consanguinity with her hasbund. She has been referred for cesearian section delivery as an emergency as there was no progress in labour. Ultrasound examination at the delivery room revealed the diagnosis of monozygotic twin, one was normal & the 2 nd was diagnosed as (abnormal) with difficulty in visualization of the fetal parts and gender. Conclusion. Twin-Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a rare complication of monozygotic multiple gestation. Accurate antenatal diagnosis is essential to improve the prognosis of this rare entity.

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Pilot study of congenital anomaly rates at birth in Fallujah, Iraq, 2010

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

The Chemistry and Toxicology of Depleted Uranium

The Chemistry and Toxicology of Depleted Uranium

Long Term Risks to Neonatal Health from Exposure to War—9 Years Long Survey of Reproductive Health and Contamination by Weapon-Delivered Heavy Metals in Gaza, Palestine

Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence: A Case Report in Fallujah Maternity and Children Hospital, Fallujah, Iraq

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