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Conflict and Health
Published in: Conflict and Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Review

Birth defects in Iraq and the plausibility of environmental exposure: A review

Authors: Tariq S Al-Hadithi, Jawad K Al-Diwan, Abubakir M Saleh, Nazar P Shabila

Published in: Conflict and Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

An increased prevalence of birth defects was allegedly reported in Iraq in the post 1991 Gulf War period, which was largely attributed to exposure to depleted uranium used in the war. This has encouraged further research on this particular topic. This paper reviews the published literature and provided evidence concerning birth defects in Iraq to elucidate possible environmental exposure. In addition to published research, this review used some direct observation of birth defects data from Al-Ramadi Maternity and Paediatric Hospital in Al-Anbar Governorate in Iraq from1st July 2000 through 30th June 2002. In addition to depleted uranium other war-related environmental factors have been studied and linked directly or indirectly with the increasing prevalence of birth defects. However, the reviewed studies and the available research evidence do not provide a clear increase in birth defects and a clear indication of a possible environmental exposure including depleted uranium although the country has been facing several environmental challenges since 1980.
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Metadata
Title
Birth defects in Iraq and the plausibility of environmental exposure: A review
Authors
Tariq S Al-Hadithi
Jawad K Al-Diwan
Abubakir M Saleh
Nazar P Shabila
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Conflict and Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1505
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1505-6-3

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