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

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.

Analysis of heat-labile sites generated by reactions of depleted uranium and ascorbate in plasmid DNA

“…Continued surveillance and monitoring of DU-exposed veterans has found detectable increases in uranium concentrations in urine and sperm; however, no significant adverse health effects have been reported [14–16]. Birth defects and cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, lung, breast, stomach, bladder and skin, have been alleged for civilians exposed to DU [17–20], but correlation of observed illnesses to DU exposure specifically is confounded by exposures to other genotoxic agents including chemical warfare agents, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated by the burning of oil fields [19]. …”

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“…(27) Musculoskeletal malformations constituted 1.4 per 1000 births in 1999 in Al-Basrah and 1.36 per 1000 births in 2000 in Baghdad; gastrointestinal and genitourinary defects accounted for 11.9% with a rate of 1 per 1000 live births in Al-Anbar. (28) Such a variance in the incidence of congenital disorders involving predominantly different bodily systems among different regions in Iraq is attributed to the impact of various socioeconomic and nutritional statuses and adequate antenatal care in addition to other factors, including pollution and chemical agents. (29) Registries of congenital defects reported wide differences in the prevalence according to geographical areas in Iraq, which may provide evidence of etiological factors such as variations in the detected incidence rates of neural tube defects in various areas.…”

Depleted Uranium and Its Effects on Humans

“…There is also no convincing evidence that the use of the DU ammunition is dangerous to the civilian population in areas of former military activity [1,12,75].…”