335256
Role of paternal periconception exposures and lifestyle factors in the development of children with orofacial clefts in Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras, Morocco, Philippines and Vietnam
Stephanie Ly, MPH,
Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Pedro Sanchez, MD,
Division of Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Frederick Brindopke,
Division of Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Jane Figueiredo, PhD,
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
A growing body of evidence has implicated the potential of paternal exposures to affect birth outcomes in future offspring. In particular, certain occupational and chemical exposures are linked to increased risk of birth defects and other morbidities in their children. In a partnership between Operation Smile, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, an investigation was conducted with fathers from global, multi-ethnic groups through an interviewer-based questionnaire. A total of 377 fathers of cleft case children and non-cleft controls were recruited in a hospital-based sampling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (34 cases, 6 controls), Honduras (50 cases, 8 controls), Morocco (26 cases, 9 controls), Philippines (70 cases, 66 controls) and Vietnam (96 cases, 12 controls). Statistical analyses are underway, using logistic regression, Chi-square analysis and t-tests to compare paternal case and control reports within and between each country. Odds ratios and risk determination will be calculated in the analysis. Variables being analyzed include self-reported demographic characteristics, occupational history, chemical exposures, health conditions and family history. Particular emphasis is placed on the periconception period, defined as 12-18 months before the birth of the child. Results from our study will contribute information from an understudied, diverse and resource-poor paternal population to encourage awareness and potential interventions in periconception.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the role of paternal exposures in periconception. Analyze risk factors in resource poor settings that contribute to birth defects.
Keyword(s): Birth Defects, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Stephanie currently serves as the Assistant Director of International Programs at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She completed her Master in Public Health with a focus on global health and is currently pursuing her PhD at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Stephanie has been overseeing a research study investigating the etiology of orofacial clefts in underserved global populations. She intends to focus her career on poverty alleviation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
