title: Chemical exposure during pregnancy and oral clefts in newborns.
abstract: This article presents a literature review on the risk factors for oral clefts (lip and/or palate), emphasizing discussion of maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors. Several studies have identified the risk of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, use of anticonvulsant drugs, and exposure to organic solvents. A protective effect has been shown for supplementation with folic acid. As with other chemicals, the risk associated with exposure to sex hormones is still obscure, although some authors describe a moderate risk level. New studies addressing this hypothesis need to be conducted, while the population exposed to these endocrine disrupters is increasing.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Epidemiologia e Métodos Quantitativos em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brasil. icgleite@bol.com.br
authors.forename: Isabel Cristina Gonçalves
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Francisco José Roma
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Paumgartten
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koifman
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones