Environmental Exposures | Ask the Geneticist (SM)

Q&A about the effects of environmental exposures that occur during pregnancy and lactation (breast-feeding). Examples include radiation exposure and smoking during pregnancy.

Other information about environmental exposures:

-Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
http://www.otispregnancy.org/hm/

-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/

-Teratogen Information System

http://depts.washington.edu/terisweb/teris/

-Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

http://oehha.ca.gov/public_info/tdhealth.html

Subtopics

Accutane (1) Agent Orange (6) Diethylstilbestrol (DES) (3) Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) (1) Miscellaneous/Unclear Diagnosis (1) Radiation (2) Steroid use (1) No Sub-topic (13) Showing 28 questions

Displaying: All questions - use the list above to filter results.


	Question		Date



	My daughter was taking Accutane up until the day before she got pregnant with my, now, 7 year old granddaughter. Her baby escaped the physical deformities associated with Accutane but has developed severe psychiatric symptoms. She is very intelligent and seemed to be developing normally until about a year ago when she was diagnosed with severe ADHD, anxiety disorder, and possible bi-polar disease. She had a horrible kindergarten year and, despite medication, continues to deteriorate emotionally. I've called Roche for information and they won't give me any. Could these problems be related to the Accutane? We are desperate. View Answer		2009-10-27


	Is there any relationship between parkinsons and agent orange I'm a Viet-Nam Veteran View Answer		2009-06-04


	Are there any studies regarding the presence of any association of retinyl palmitate in common cosmetic products (e.g. body wash and facial wash) to human triploidy ? View Answer		2009-05-14


	I am a Viet-Nam war veteran and I was sprayed with Agent Orange many times. After my return from Viet-Nam, I got married and my first-born child was diagnosed with ITP. I fear that I may have been a carrier of some disease and infested my newborn child. Has ITP been ruled to have been caused by Agent Orange? I know some veterans parented offsprings born with Spinal Bifida, but could ITP been caused by Agent Orange? Please research this for me. View Answer		2009-05-12


	My grandfather is an atomic veteran who was involved with radioactive testing in Nevada. How many future generations of his bloodline can be effected with bith defects? I have inherited sectoral heterochromia from him, are there any other conditions I need to lookout for? View Answer		2009-04-05


	hello, i'm a chronic carrier of hepatitis b and currently, taking baraclude. i want to start trying for a baby in a few months. the doctor said he will switch me to viread. from what i know, viread is FDA approved for pregnancy but only in animal testing and there is not enough data on humans. i want stop taking any medication during the pregnancy and resume after i give birth. however, i'm afraid my condition will worsen. so is it possible for me to stop for 9-10 months? thank you! View Answer		2009-03-09


	I am regularly learning of possible adverse effects in relation to exposure to toxins. Radiation and Agent Orange seem to be major "offenders" in the growing lists of medical diagnosis. What is the likelyhood of genetic testing to rule in or rule out exposure as a cause? For instance, Agent Orange exposure happened 30 or more years ago. If that in fact is a contributor to current medical conditions, is it possible to detect it in ones system? View Answer		2009-01-26


	At my 12 week ultrasound I got a NT measurement of 4mm (the max normal range is 3mm). Because I didn't know this was unusual I opted not to have the blood tests done. My doctor has now refered me to a genetic councillor. I'm wondering if the increased NT measurement could be from an infection. Several of my friends children had hand foot mouth disease while I was in my first trimester. I'm wondering if this disease can cross to the fetus and what the effect on the baby would be. View Answer		2008-11-28


	My daughter, now 40, has just been diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia. What is the possibility of Agent Orange being the cause of the mutated gene. We were both in Saigon when Agent Orange was dropped. View Answer		2008-09-18


	I am a pretty healthy 37 year old female, but my husband has been a heavy drinker since he turned 19 years old (he is 38 now) I am afraid that having a baby now after so many years of him drinking might have an effect in the genetic sense on our baby. What are the chances of us having a healthy baby? My husband doesn't have any other health problems yet, but his heavy drinking does worry me regarding conceiving a child and how is alcoholism can affect the baby. Can you help me sort this out? View Answer		2008-06-04


	Both my husband and I were on Adderall at the time I became pregnant. I only confirmed that I was pregnant at the 7 week mark however, I had a feeling I was at about 6 weeks so I discontinued my use of allergy meds (Allergra-D, Zyrtec, Singular and Benadryl) as well as my daily dose of Adderall-XR (10mg). My husband is on 20mg twice daily. Besides the 3-5% chance of birth defects prominant in every pregnancy, does our baby have a greater risk because of the Adderall? Are there any negative effects from our use of Adderall? View Answer		2008-05-15


	There are so many conflicting answers and I would just like the straight truth....can a pregnant woman get acrylic nails done every other week safely? And can a pregnant woman get her hair colored every 6-8 weeks? View Answer		2008-05-15


	My father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. My sister has Arnold Chiari malformation...I suspect I have it too because of similiar mild symptoms. My first born son has spina bifida occulta (pilonidal dimple or sacral dimple) My second born son has a small dip in the same area that was questioned but r/o as sacral dimple. Both my boys have double hair whorls at the crown. Are any of these conditions related...and what are my sons chances of having children born with spina bifida...how far down in generations does the Agent orange exposure increase the risk of spina bifida? View Answer		2008-04-01


	My mother died from ovarian cancer (cancer has never hit my family). My 39 year old sister was recently diagnosed with Myotonic Dystrophy. Neither of my parents nor their parents, etc., had this condition. I would like to know if anyone ever did a study on whether Diethylstilbestrol (we are DES daughters) was ever studied as a possible cause of a mutation that could have caused this disease in my sister. If not, how could one go about gathering information as to whether there are other DES children that have developed this disease that was not previously present in their family. View Answer		2007-11-15


	Neither of my parents nor their parents, etc., had this condition. I would like to know if anyone ever did a study on whether Diethylstilbestrol (we are DES daughters) was ever studied as a possible cause of a mutation that would have caused this disease in my sister. If not, how could one go about at least gathering information as to whether there are other DES children that have developed this disease that was not previously present in their family. View Answer		2007-11-02


	Hi, I was trying to find out if there was any evidence of a link between anabolic steroid abuse and genetic mutation in offspring? For instance if there was a link between Fragile X Syndrome, the mutation of the FMR1 gene and anabolic steroid intake in the mother or father or possibly grandparents? Thanks for reading and I look forward to your answer. View Answer		2007-06-28


	Is there any link between Agent Orange exposure and genetic disorders passed on to children or their fertility? I have a 1 year old son with NF-1 and have had one early miscarriage. My brother just had a baby born and deceased with Fryns Syndrome. Other than the Fryns syndrome baby, his wife has delivered one healthy child and 2 miscarriages. Our father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and recently died of lung cancer at the age of 60. My brother and I are healthy as far as we know, but are concerned with the genetic problems in our children. View Answer		2007-06-19


	My father was employed at Hanford Nuclear site in the early 1940's. My mother and oldest sister lived near the site with my father. Three of my sisters and myself are suffering from symptoms of uncontrollable hypertension in excess of 200/110+, elevated blood calcium, severe headaches, chronic fatigue, nosebleeds, general malaise, TIA like symptoms, diabetes. My mother had an adenoma of the parathyroid removed in Oct. '06. There has been no relief of our symptoms despite numerous tries at medications and combination of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol medications. The symptoms are progressing rapidly and are causing all of us great discomfort and challenges in our every day routine. An endocrinologist I have recently seen suspects FHH, rather than adenoma parathyroidism. My mother had several miscarriages post Hanford exposure and had one child die within 72 hours after birth. There was no medical investigation or questions raised at that particular time because of the unknown effects of this testing. I was born with my legs wrapped around my legs and expected not to walk. I also suffer from uncontrolled hyperlipidemia (cholesterol 380+ after Zocor, Plavix and Lisinopril intervention; high triglycerides and low good cholesterol.)I suffer from obesity, hair loss, excessive facial hair and hair on stomach/back, irritability, post total abdominal hysterectomy not on hormones.Question #1: Could there be a genetic mutation from my parents exposure, i.e. through sperm and ovum resulting in our symptoms? Is there any treatment?Question #2: Where do I go from here?My internal medicine physician and my sister's internal medicine physician have fired us both from their care within a 3 week period.Frustrated in Washington. View Answer		2007-03-08


	I was born with congenital rubella syndrome. I had a cataract in my left eye, and what would nowadays be referred to likely as a mild autistic tendency and moreso as a child and teen, add type of issue. I understand sometimes very complex issues, and cannot comprehend simply tasks. I had a tiny bit of hearing impairment in one ear, but it's not that noticeable. I had no heart involvement to my knowledge, and generally function fairly normally outside of the eye damage. I have suffered most of my life with anxiety disorders and panic disorder, although I have no idea if this is related, although in a study done by O'Donnell and some person here in ontario, apparently we suffer from a high percentage of mental disorders? I also found one time info on late-onset CRS problems, but I could not relocate the book I saw this in. I did see a bit of research but the problems covered a whole spectrum of illnesses, although two predominant ones came up, one being autoimmune hypothyroidism(which I developed), and diabetes. I now have as of yet an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder. My question is, do you know of any pertinent information on late-onset issues and diseases, and if any more research has been done, and if it may be a case of something similar such as shingles and post-polio syndromes? (I also appeared to have got and eliminated a mass in my chest, but this is debatable, as it was there then two months later gone. I used a massive natural product attack while awaiting a CT, by then my problems vanished). View Answer		2007-02-04


	How does radiation effect Chromosome 2 as it relates to Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis and color vision deficiency ? Can ionizing radiation ( diagnostic or therapy ) cause genetic defects resulting in these conditions ? View Answer		2007-02-02


	A few years ago after suffering from endometriosis and ovarian cysts, my mother read an article about DES (diethylstilbestrol) and remembered that my nan was prescribed it while pregnant with my mum and showed me the article. We are desperate to get some answers from somewhere. My mum has had abnormal cells and had surgery and so did my sister at about 22yr old. All three of us have had problems with either fertility or pregnancy. I my self had two premature labours, one at 30 weeks. After this, i had trouble with endometriosis and cysts. I have now had a hysterectomy. My sister had problems conceiving. However this is not the problem. Both my children were born with reflux of the ureter and my oldest daughter has had major surgery to correct this, we were told it must be hereditary but there is no trace of any kidney problems. Both my sisters children have Ehlers-Danlos hyper-mobility they are now 20 and 17 and were diagnosed around the 14 yr old mark. Now my 14 yr old has been diagnosed with hyper-mobility and we know this may develop and get worst. There is no trace that anyone else in our families have any problems like this and this is the only link we can think of. I know that it is mainly the cancer that is the link with DES but would be interested at anyone that may have any suggestions to this. View Answer		2006-08-09


	My dermatologist has prescribed me tazorac which I've been using once a week and about 9 straight days until yesterday. I use it once a day, and then I found out I was pregnant last night. I was very scared because I found out on the internet that it may cause birth defects. Should I worry? The doctor said I was about 8wks pregnant. View Answer		2006-05-15


	I am Veterinary graduate doing my postgraduation in Animal Genetics and Breeding.I am a mother of three years old daughter and my age is 29. I am planning to have another child, I am working in molecular biology lab dealing with polyacrylamide for the past seven months. I want to know whether this exposure will have any effect on my second child. View Answer		2006-03-30


	I have been prescribed tazorac for keratosis pilaris. This is a category X drug and can not be used during pregnancy or just before it. I will not become pregnant for 1 1/2 to 2 years but am concerned about long term use. Can use of a category X drug affect my DNA or eggs so that even if I didn't use it just before or during pregnancy it could still cause birth defects? View Answer		2005-09-14


	I will soon be 35 years old and would like to have another baby. My husband and I currently have a very bright and "normal" 4 year old daughter. Because I would be 35 when I conceive our second child I am concerned about genetic defects. What effect does past recreational drug use have on the genetic make-up of older oocytes? Past recreational drug use would include occasional use of marijuana, cocaine, speed, LSD and ectasy more than 10 years ago. View Answer		2005-09-14


	If the man smokes marijuana (for about 8 years now) and the wife gets pregnant, can this affect the baby? View Answer		2005-09-14


	My sisters daughter was prescribed tazorac for her acne on her back. My sister is 5 months pregnant and has been applying the medication to her daughters back for approximately 5 days. I looked it up and told her to stop touching it immediately but now we are afraid her unborn child might have birth defects. Will this hurt the baby - they were putting a pea size drop on her daughter but rubbing it in with her hands. View Answer		2005-09-14


	My wife and I are planning to have a baby. We have one question about the medication I am taking. I take Vicodin and a time released Morphine for back pain. Would taking this medication harm the sperm? Will the baby be healthy? I take 30mg in the morning, 30mg at noon, 30mg at night of morphine. The Vicodin I take 2 pills 3 times a day. I take this medication for 6 years. View Answer		2005-09-14

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