CTIS Experts Meet With Other World Research Leaders For First Ever Int’l Conference

JERUSALEM, Israel -  In an effort to enhance collaboration on education and research in the field of teratology, the study of birth defects caused by exposures during pregnancy, CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line experts, as well as other states that make up the national Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), and representatives from similar research and counseling groups around the world exchanged ideas at the first OTIS/ENTIS meeting in Israel last month.

The European Network Teratology Information Services (ENTIS), along with North American non-profit affiliates of OTIS, met March 26 – 30, 2011 where they collaborated on such issues as the harmonization of educational goals and research standards. “One of the most productive meetings was an agreement we achieved on the benefit and value of combining efforts,” explained Dr. Christina Chambers, the director of OTIS’ California affiliate, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line.  “For example, we launched our first collaborative project on low dose methotrexate in pregnancy research and we’ve already discussed future worldwide collaborations,” she added.

ENTIS and OTIS plan to continue the collaboration efforts and will meet every 3 years to discuss progress. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held in Washington D.C.

“The potential for creating a global model to educate women about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as universal model for research in the field of teratology, is incredibly exciting,” said Dr. Chambers. “This is the first formal effort to help women have healthier pregnancy outcomes on a global level.”