Huge rise in babies born with defects

 The number of babies born with certain types of abnormalities has increased
 by up to 50 per cent in five years, research by a medical charity has found.

 The Birth Defects Foundation (BDF) calculates that 45,000 babies are born
 each year with defects ranging from spina bifida - an abnormality of the
 spine - to prominent birthmarks or minor malformations of the hands or feet.

 The total is six times higher than the Government's own figures for
 neonatal abnormalities and amounts to one in 16 of all births. However,
 the Office of National Statistics admits its own figures do not reflect
 the scale of the problem.

 While some types of abnormalities are declining, the charity's figures
 reveal a sharp rise in three specific defects - cleft lip or palate,
 gastroschisis (abnormality of the abdominal wall) and hypospadias
 (abnormality of the genitals).

 Professor Patton, BDF medical director and head of medical genetics at 
 St George's Hospital, said: "Some substances in the diet, such as soya,
 contain phyto- oestrogens which it has been suggested could have a
 feminising effect on males."

 The feminising effect of environmental pollutants was further highlighted
 yesterday in the Independent on Sunday, which reported on how fish in
 British rivers are developing female characteristics.

 By Jeremy Laurance Health Editor
 18 March 2002
 The Independent

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