Question - Barium is a heavy metal that may be found in drinking water, vegetables, rodenticides, X-ray contrast medium, glass, and various colorants. Is there an association between maternal barium exposure and congenital heart defects in offspring?
Answer- A recent case control study reported a dose dependent increase in risk for the development of some forms of congenital heart disease. (Zhang N et al. Barium exposure increases the risk of congenital heart defects occurrence in offspring. 2018 Clin Tox 56(2):132-139)
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