Working environment and fetal malformations
- Author:
Hoang Thi Hai Van
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ultrasound scanning 3D;
Working environment;
Fetal malformation
- MeSH:
Fetus;
Fetus/abnormalities;
Environment
- From:Journal of Medical Research
2005;38(5):90-96
- CountryViet Nam
- Language:Vietnamese
-
Abstract:
During gestation, a fetus may be affected by factors that cause it to develop in anomalous ways. Yet it is not easy to determine what exactly are the causes of a given fetal malformation. Objectives: We investigated pregnant women's perceptions of what could be the causes of the fetal malformations they experienced. Methods: Qualitative interviews with 30 pregnant women and their families after an ultrasound scanning had detected a defect in the fetus. Results: Even though in many cases the working environment of either mother or father might have played a role in causing the malformation, the research showed that the parents themselves hardly ever blamed their working environment for the defect. The research also showed that most couples kept the malformation secret from their family, community and colleagues. This secrecy in combination with parental reluctance to consider the health impact of their working environment may make it difficult to combat possibly toxic working environments in Vietnam. Conclusions: In some cases, fetal malformations may be related to a toxic working environment. Yet in this study, a few pregnant women know that exposure to toxic chemicals at the workplace can play a role in causing a malformation in their fetus.
