Patricia Gilbert

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

EDTA is used at low levels in some fabric washing powders as a bleach stabiliser. It is also used in soaps as a stabiliser and in some liquid products to enhance the action of preservatives. EDTA has, however, many other industrial applications and its use in detergents accounts for only approximately 20% of the total use. Calculations based on the worst case estimates of sewage flows suggest that the concentrations in European sewage effluents of EDTA arising from detergents use should be in the range of 100–300 μg L-1 and in receiving waters 10–30 μL-1. Where industrial discharges are also present, total concentrations of EDTA could of course be considerably higher. In many cases however, the concentrations of EDTA actually found in European rivers (0–60/μL-1) are well below the range predicted from the combined industrial and detergent uses.

William’s syndrome

The estimated number of babies suffering from this syndrome has only recently been reported, and is thought to be in the region of one in every 10 000 born. Boys and girls can be affected equally.

Friedrich’s ataxia

There are a number of conditions having ataxia as the prime characteristic. Friedrich’s ataxia is thought to be the most common of the hereditary ataxias. Approximately one in every 50 000 babies born are likely to be affected. Boys and girls can be affected equally.

Crouzon’s syndrome

The exact incidence of Crouzon’s syndrome is unknown, but it is a rare condition. However, the incidence of similar conditions which also have abnormalities of the head and face are not uncommon A figure of one in every 2000 children with such abnormalities has been quoted. There are many syndromes associated with this type of disfigurement, examples being Pfeiffer’s syndrome, Apert’s syndrome and Carpenter’s syndrome. Boys and girls are affected in equal numbers. The condition can be recognized at birth by the unusual facial features and is confirmed by X-ray examination. There is no antenatal diagnosis possible at present.

Beckwith—Wiedeman syndrome

The actual incidence of Beckwith—Wiedeman syndrome is not entirely clear, but it has been suggested that seven in 100 000 births is a probable figure. It is thought that there are a number of children with the syndrome who have not been diagnosed. Some babies born with an abnormality around the umbilicus probably also have Beckwith—Wiedeman syndrome, or at least a variant of the condition.

Hand, foot and mouth syndrome

Small outbreaks of this graphically named infection can occur amongst babies and older children. The summer months are the most likely time for the condition to occur. Adults can suffer from the disease as well as children.

Sjorgen—Larsson syndrome

Although this is a very rare syndrome, it has been reported as occurring in many countries. Extensive research into this syndrome was done in Sweden in the 1950s. In a particular region of this country the incidence of the condition, named after the two Swedes who performed the research, was found to be around eight people in 100 000. Both boys and girls can be affected.

Coffin—Lowry syndrome

This was thought to be a rare syndrome, but now appears to be more common than the number of published cases suggests. Both boys and girls can be affected and the syndrome has been reported in many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Waardenburg’s syndrome

This syndrome has three distinct sub-types, depending on the presence and severity of specific characteristics. For example, type 3 has abnormalities of the limbs in addition to the features shown by the other two types. The general overall incidence of the condition, taking all the sub-types into account, is one in every 20 000 to 40 000 births.

Riley—Day syndrome

This is rare in general populations. The Riley—Day syndrome is largely confined to Ashkenazi Jewish families. The incidence in these families is relatively high, being found in approximately one in every 3700 births. About one person in every 100 carries the gene. Boys and girls can be affected equally.