title: Predisposition to spina bifida: Search for a relation to maternal gastric acid secretion.
abstract: The peak acid output of the stomach in a group of 71 mothers of spina bifida children and in 71 matched controls was estimated indirectly by the serum level of group I pepsinogens. The mean levels did not differ significantly, suggesting that the conjectured teratogen is not specially acid-labile. The variance was significantly higher in index subjects than in controls, but the interpretation of this finding is not clear.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010435:Pepsinogens / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010435:Pepsinogens