Background

In 1997, the first Texas Birth Defects Symposium was held in Brownsville with a primary focus on the tracking and study of neural tube defects (NTD) along the Texas-Mexico border. In the nine years since, the Texas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention was established, and active research collaborations have developed that have steadily moved us toward greater understanding of the causes of birth defects and their prevention.

Agenda in Brief:

Genetic epidemiology of birth defects
Birth defect rates in Texas: border v. non-border residence
Pre- and post-fortification rates of various birth defects
Population-based analysis of birth defects associated with anotia/microtia
Is the prevalence of gastroschisis and omphalocele in the US rising?
The effect of paternal age on prevalence of selected birth defects
Obesity as a risk factor for birth defects
Pesticides & genitourinary defects
Hazardous waste sites and birth defects
Helicobacter pylor, neural tube defects, and micronutrient deficiencies
NTDs & the environment in China
Exposure to fumonisins and the occurrence of neural tube defects along the Texas-Mexico Border
Late-breaker

Selected Posters:

Linking teratogen information service and birth defects registry databases…
Microcephaly in Texas, 1999-2002
Demographic disparities in omphalocele prevalence and infant survival, Texas 1999-2002
Prevalence of encephalocele in Texas, 1999-2002
Alcohol Consumption By Women Before and During Pregnancy
National Prevalence Estimates for 18 Selected Birth Defects, 1999-2001
Epidemiologic Features & Clinical Subgroups of Anotia/Microtia in Texas, 1999-2001

Who Should Attend:

Public health professionals
Clinicians
Researchers from other fields
Anyone with a personal or professional interest in birth defects

Location:

Austin Hilton
500 East 4th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
512-482-8000

Our Sponsors:

March of Dimes Texas Chapter

Texas A&M Insitute of Biociences and Technology