birth defects

Mandated cCMV screening improves early identification of infant hearing loss

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A new retrospective cohort study examining the impact of Minnesota’s first-in-the-nation mandated universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) shows that universal screening significantly decreased the age at first audiology visit and increased identification of mild hearing loss in infants. The findings, published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy … Read more

Swedish study highlights prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

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Out of 206 fourth-grade students, 19 met criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This was found in a pilot study conducted at the University of Gothenburg. The results indicate that birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy may be as common in Sweden as in several other European countries. The study ran at six … Read more

Congenital heart defects may be linked to increased cancer risk in babies and mothers

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Being born with a heart defect may be associated with an increased cancer risk for babies and their moms, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation. According to the American Heart Association, the most common birth defects in the U.S. are forms of congenital heart defects (CHD). They range from structural … Read more

From hip dysplasia to deafness: Managing congenital diseases in pets

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I recently had to operate on my three-year-old Golden Retriever, Musafir, to address his undescended testicles. This is just one of many congenital diseases that can affect pets. Congenital diseases are disorders or abnormalities that are present from birth. They can be inherited from a pet’s parents or caused by developmental issues during gestation. Some … Read more

Apple faces lawsuit over Watch bands allegedly containing potential cancer-pausing chemicals

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Apple has come under fire in a new lawsuit as the tech giant is accused of exposing users to toxic chemicals that could lead to serious health issues, including cancer. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s “Ocean,” “Nike Sport,” and regular “Sport” Watch bands contain high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as … Read more

Surprise finding sheds light on what causes Huntington’s disease, a devastating fatal brain disorder

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Scientists are unraveling the mystery of what triggers Huntington’s disease, a devastating and fatal hereditary disorder that strikes in the prime of life, causing nerve cells in parts of the brain to break down and die. The genetic mutation linked to Huntington’s has long been known, but scientists haven’t understood how people could have the … Read more

Zika Virus Hijacks Protein Important to Brain Development, to Support Viral Replication

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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne orthoflavivirus that can cause birth defects, including microcephaly, a condition in which head and brain size are significantly reduced at birth. The collective results of the newly reported study involving work in human cell lines, fruit flies, and mosquito cells, have shown how Zika virus hijacks a host protein … Read more