The Health of Vietnam Vets' Children.A study designated by the Australian Veteran's Affairs Commission found that Vietnam veterans' children have higher than expected rates of physical disabilities, such as spina bifida. The children also have significant increases in mental disabilities. A total of 51,000 questionnaires were sent to male and female veterans and widowed, divorced, or separated partners of Vietnam vets. The response rate was 88 percent, with 79 percent completing the survey. Analysis unveiled an enormous amount of health conditions among Vietnam vets and their children. Spina bifida in the children of the vets was more than 1000 percent the expected rate. The incidence of cleft lip or palate palate (păl`ĭt), roof of the mouth. The front part, known as the hard palate, formed by the upper maxillary bones and the palatine bones, separates the mouth from the nasal cavity. was 400 percent higher than expected; and the absence of body parts was 1000 percent higher than expected. An incidental Contingent upon or pertaining to something that is more important; that which is necessary, appertaining to, or depending upon another known as the principal. Under Workers' Compensation statutes, a risk is deemed incidental to employment when it is related to whatever a finding of the study was that the rate of death by suicide or accidents among the vets' children was twice the expected rate. Veterans and their supporters have been reporting concerns about exposure to the chemical Agent Orange for many years. The exposure may cause genetic damage, which results in both physical deformity Deformity See also Lameness. Calmady, Sir Richard born without lower legs. [Br. Lit.: Sir Richard Calmady, Walsh Modern, 84] Carey, Philip embittered young man with club foot seeks fulfillment. [Br. Lit. and mental illness (which may explain the high suicide rate). Validation of the self-reported conditions has begun, exploring some of the rarer birth defects birth defects, abnormalities in physical or mental structure or function that are present at birth. They range from minor to seriously deforming or life-threatening. A major defect of some type occurs in approximately 3% of all births. reported. --Association of Birth Defect birth defect Genetic or trauma-induced abnormality present at birth. A more restrictive term than congenital disorder, it covers abnormalities that arise during the formation of an embryo's organs and tissues and does not include those caused by diseases (e.g. Children News, March/April 1998 |
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