Newly discovered molecular switch helps decide cell type in early embryo development

sea-maid submitted, created time 3 months 1 week (www.eurekalert.org)

Researchers have discovered a central molecular switch in fruit fly embryos that opens new avenues for studying the causes of birth defects and cancer in humans. Writing about their study in the Aug. 12 Developmental Cell, scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center determined the switch to be a main tuning mechanism for instructing cells whether to form sensory nerves or blood cells in different parts of the body.

1 comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: stem cells cell differentiation differentiation birth defects developmental biology embryos fruit fly embryos

Case-control study of self-reported genitourinary infections and risk of gastroschisis

sea-maid submitted, created time 5 months 4 days (www.bmj.com)

This rare abnormality, commonest among babies of teenage mothers, is increasing: this US study (findings from the national birth defects prevention study, 1997-2003) found a significant association with self-reported infections in early pregnancy. The accompanying editorial agrees that genitourinary infection in early pregnancy can be added to the existing list of risk factors.

Submit comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: birth defects human reproduction pregnancy women teenage mothers teenagers infants babies gastochisis genitourinary infections

Antidepressants' link to birth defects small

angelfish submitted, created time 1 year 4 months (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Two new studies suggest that taking during the first trimester of pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of some rare .

2244 comments | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: birth defects molecular studies antidepressants case-control studies

Joslin Researchers Discover a Surprising Culprit in the Search for Causes of Diabetic Birth Defects

penguin submitted, created time 1 year 8 months (www.joslin.org)

Women with diabetes still are two to five times more likely than the general population to have a baby with birth defects, especially of the heart and spinal cord, organs that form within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Scientists now have unlocked several mysteries behind what puts women with diabetes more at risk of having a child with birth defects and the protein called glucose transporter 2 (Glut2).

Submit comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: birth defects

IVF increases the risk of birth defects

amanda submitted, created time 1 year 9 months (www.newscientist.com)

Researchers analysed the health records of 61,208 deliveries in 2005 in Ontario, Canada. They found babies born through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) – which include in-vitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation induction and intra-uterine insemination – were about 60% more likely to develop birth defects as those born through natural conception.

1 comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: IVF birth defects

Down's syndrome test eliminates miscarriage risk

amanda submitted, created time 1 year 9 months (www.reutershealth.com)

A new non-invasive test that examines fetal DNA can pick up genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome and, unlike more intrusive tests that may raise the risk of miscarriage, the new diagnostic tool developed by the US company Ravgen poses no threat to the mother or fetus.

Submit comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: human reproduction women's health fertility genetic testing birth defects Down's Syndrome miscarriage non-invasive tests