always avoid self medication specially during pregnancy because it causes abnormal birth defects.

1. TERATOGENIC FACTORS IN INDIA AND UKRAINE (THESIS) :
IMTIY AZ AHMAD, KHOMENKO VIOLETA
B.S.M.U ( chernivtsy, Ukraine)
Birth defects are an important causeofinfant mortality death whetherit is an under developed, developing
or developed country throughout this world. This abnormal anomalies are due to teratogenic factors
develop in the fetus during its development by some environmental factors alcoholism or unusual
medication which is not suitable during the course of pregnancy like thalidomide, benazepril (ACE),
isotretinoin, valproic acid etc. Nowadays 7 0% of birth defects are preventable through cost effective
community genetic services but everybody cannot afford it.
TOPIC OF INTEREST :- The rate of developing birth defects are increasing everyday. According to WHO
and MOD meeting 7.9 billion births occurs worldwide with serious birth defect and 94% occur in middle
or low incomecountry.It accounts for7%ofall neonatal mortality 3.3 billionsunder fivedeathand in India
61 to 69.9 per 1000 livebirths.
TY PES OF TERATOGENIC ABNORMALITIES:- Chorioretinitis, Hemangioma, Hepatosplenomegaly,
Meromelia, Microphthalmia,Spinal Bifida (Neural Tube Defect), Down syndrome, Dextrocardia etc.
AFP:-α-fetoprotein is most abundant plasma protein found in fetus. It canbe used as a biomarker to detect
a subset oftumours in non-pregnant women,men and children.Its level on increaseor decrease may cause
defects in developing embryo.
Increase:- omphalocele, hepatocellularcarcinoma, spinal bifida (NTD), yolk sac tumour.
Decrease:- fetal loss, low birth weight, neonatal death, congenital anomalies, chromosomal aberration
disease ( klinefelters syndrome, down syndrome etc.)
INDIA
1 spinal bifida 0.19%
2 cleft palate 0.7%
3 microcephaly 0.22%
4 anencephaly 0.21%
5 hypospadias 3%distal % proximal
6 dextrocardia 1.6%
7 down syndrome 0.13%
UKRAINE
1 Chernobyl Disaster
2 human mini-satellitemutation after Chernobyl
3 thyroid carcinoma in children 30%
4 leukemia in children
5 genetic effects on ionizing radiation (Chernobyl)
6 phenyl ketonuria (PKU) 1.66%
CONCLUSION:- Birth defects is one the of major problem not in Ukraine and India but also throughout
this world and we should all take the responsible measures to ovoid this becausethese baby are the future
generation to this upcoming world and we all know that healthis wealth. Nowadaysto avoidthis we should
believe precaution or prevention is better than cure therefore during pregnancy taking special measure
should must be mandatory for a healthy childlike:-
Using 400µg folic acid (VIT-B9) every day at least one month during pregnancy to protect baby from
teratogenic effect ofbrain and spine which we call neural tube defects orspinal bifida.
Avoidharmfulsubstances :- alcohol,smoking, nicotine, marijuana, hashish,streetdrugs withoutconsulting
Choose a healthy life style:- keep diabetes under control, strive to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Consult doctors in regular interval of time with proper checkup, diagnosis and proper medication and
always avoid self- medication during the time ofpregnancy.