Techniques for assessing teratogenic effects: epidemiology

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of malformations can aid in the understanding of human teratogenesis. Employing a variety of approaches epidemiology can develop or test hypotheses concerning possible causes or through surveillance provide data useful for a variety of purposes. Drawing heavily upon the authors' experience at the Center for Disease Control, this paper reviews some concepts and uses of epidemiology in studies of human teratogenesis