Teratology Programs Receive CDC
Grant
To Advise Pregnant Women Affected by
Katrina
Sept. 29, 2005
From: Dee Quinn, (520)
626-4382
Pregnant
women worried about toxic exposures to their unborn babies in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina may call (866) 626-6847
for free counseling from the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
(OTIS).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has awarded a
$25,000 grant to OTIS to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina for the next three
months. OTIS has established a toll-free information line to answer calls from
the public and health-care professionals from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, central
time. Advice is free to all callers.
The Arizona Teratology Information Program located at
The University of Arizona will be the first responder to these calls,
with the Texas Teratology Information at the
Teratology is the study of the effects that drugs, medications,
chemicals and other exposures may have on the fetus. Many southern states lack
teratology information lines, said genetic counselor Dee Quinn, MSW, who heads the UA
program.
“We suspect there may be many pregnant women out there who are
worried about exposure to toxic chemicals in the flood waters, or who are
concerned because they weren’t able to get their medications following the
evacuations,” Quinn said. Counselors such as Quinn and others are able to advise
women on risks to their developing fetus.
The Arizona Teratology
Information Program is sponsored by the UA
College of Pharmacy and
the Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics-Gynecology in the UA
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Senior Public Affairs
Coordinator
sguthrie@email.arizona.edu