title: [Importance of the Teratogen Information Service in Bahia, Brazil, for prevention of congenital malformations: an initial four-year review].
abstract: Teratogenic agents are defined as physical, chemical, or biological agents or nutrient deficiencies that lead to fetal structural or functional alterations. Information on the effects of exposure to teratogens during pregnancy is of the utmost importance. In order to achieve this goal, in 2001, the Bahia State Teratogen Information Service was created in the Medical Genetics Department at the University Hospital of the Federal University in Bahia. The current paper aimed to describe the first four years of operation in the service. From March 2001 to May 2005, the service was consulted by telephone, fax, and e-mail. During this period, 408 queries were made, for a total of 1,091 different reasons. Most queries were made by pregnant women and health care professionals. Hair products, herbal teas, and misoprostol were the most widely investigated agents. The low number of queries (average 1/day) shows the need for more awareness-raising on the risks posed by the various agents.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil. m.toralles@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Maria Betânia
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Toralles
authors.forename: Bruno Meira Castro
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: Luiza Cavalcanti
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fadul
authors.forename: Clóvis F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Peixoto Junior
authors.forename: Marco Antonio Costa Campos de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Crésio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D016595:Misoprostol; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013662:Tea; D013723:Teratogens / Q000145:classification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations; D013662:Tea; D013723:Teratogens; D016595:Misoprostol