Examining the Reproductive Health of Gulf War Veterans and the Subsequent Health and Development of Their Children
Abstract
Overarching Challenge: The topic area challenges that will be addressed by this proposal include Consequences. Despite multiple early indications of excess birth defects and health conditions affecting family members of Gulf War Veterans (GWVs) after the 1990-91 Gulf War, long-needed follow-up and more definitive assessment of these issues have not been conducted. Further, no studies have specifically evaluated family health outcomes in relation to Gulf War Illness (GWI) and exposures associated with Gulf War (GW) service. This proposal fits into the qualification phase as there are preliminary data published in the GW literature suggestive of adverse reproductive health among Veterans and specifically among GWVs. This study builds upon the literature and aims to elucidate the reproductive health impacts and family health impacts on GWVs and their family members. Background: While the GW was relatively short, Veterans have suffered long-lasting debilitating health effects because of their deployment. Few research studies have explicitly looked at service in the GW and reproductive health of our Veterans. While a limited amount of research was conducted of reproductive outcomes among Veterans, previous research found that GWVs have greater rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as birth defects, and one study found that GWVs have an increased risk of serious birth defects, like congenial heart defects. To date, only one study has examined the health of children of GWVs, and this study found that children of GWVs had worse dentition (tooth health), greater obesity, and more behavioral problems. Objective and Rationale: The objectives of this proposal are to determine (1) the association between GWI and adverse reproductive, birth, and children’s health outcomes; (2) the association between Veterans’ exposures in theater with reproductive, birth and children’s health outcomes; (3) examine whether parent GWI is associated with the current health of their adult children; (4) examine whether GW exposures experienced by a parent is associated with the current health of their adult children; and (5) collect blood from 100 parent/child pairs in the Boston area to examine intergenerational impacts in a future study. While previous research studies have found evidence that Veterans experience a higher number of adverse reproductive outcomes, questions remain about how GW deployment may affect the development and overall health of the children of GWVs. In addition, no previous studies have examined reproductive outcomes as it relates to GWI. In preliminary analysis of data of female GWVs, the rate of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in the children of GWV (31%) was nearly three times higher than the rate in the general population (~9%). When comparing GWVs with and without GWI, there was a double the rate of ADHD in the children of GWVs with GWI (31.4%) compared to the children of GWVs without GWI (15.4%). Thus, there is a need to examine how GWI is related to reproductive effects among GWVs, as well, for the first time examine intergenerational effects of reproductive health. These preliminary findings suggest that GWVs may have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and that GWI may be related to adverse reproductive outcomes among Veterans and adverse impacts on the health of their children. We propose to survey 725 GWVs to determine the number of Veterans who have experienced challenges with fertility, adverse reproductive and birth outcomes (miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm delivery), given birth to children with birth defects, and whose children born since the GW have experienced any developmental disabilities and/or had persistent health problems. We also propose to establish a cohort of children of GWVs and characterize the overall health of the Veterans’ children at birth, childhood, and current. This would be the first time reproductive outcomes among Veterans and overall health and development
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210320
Entities
People
- Patricia Janulewicz Lloyd
Organizations
- Boston University Medical Campus
- United States Army