Prevalence of birth defects in the Gaza Strip from 1997 to 2010: a pedigree analysis

Study by Awny Naim, Roberto Minutolo, Simona Signoriello, Paula Manduca

Published on http://www.thelancet.com/health-in-the-occupiedpalestinian-territory-2013

Findings: 58 couples had 226 children, of whom 69 had birth defects. Inheritance of disease was suggested in eight couples who had two children with the same birth (familiar) defect and six who had the familiar defect in their firstdegree relatives; 45 couples had one child each with a birth defect, suggesting that it was sporadic. The frequencies of children with birth defects showed a significant increase from 2005 (p=0·0003)—four (20%) of 20, four (18%) of 22, four (15%) of 27, six (17%) of 35, 17 (40%) of 43, 18 (38%) of 48, and 16 (52%) of 31 children born during 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2009–10, respectively (appendix). A significant linear trend was noted for sporadic birth defects (p<0·0001), but not for familiar birth defects (p=0·95). There was no difference in the prevalence of birth defects over time between couples who had fewer or not fewer than four children (p=0·13). 25 (66%) of 38 mothers answered questions about exposure to attacks in 2008–09: two were exposed to white phosphorus, seven to bombs, and 15 to both, and one was wounded.