An estimate of the incidence of birth defects, hydatidiform mole and fetal death in utero between 1952 and 1985 at the Obstetrical and Gynecological Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Republic of Vietnam

Abstract

The statistical data reported here on women seen during the last 30 years at the Gynecological and Obstetrical Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City would seem to show a sharp increase in the rate of fetal death in utero, hydatidiform mole (with or without choriocarcinoma) and congenital malformations since the pre-1965-1975 period. The increase has remained until the present. It is hoped that further studies, including those measuring the body burden of residual dioxin, will be able to establish whether there is is any link between phenoxyherbicide exposure and unfortunate outcomes of pregnancy as suggested by these preliminary observations.