Gulf War veterans show fertility problems - study

Veterans of the first Gulf War are showing signs of fertility problems compared with armed forces colleagues who did not serve there, according to a new study published on Wednesday.

The postal survey by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed a slight increase in infertility and stillbirths among the veterans of the 1990-91 war in Kuwait and Iraq compared to non-deployed servicemen.

"The difference is small but statistically significant," researcher Pat Doyle told Health News Online.

"What we have to do now is conduct further studies - particularly among soldiers returning now from Iraq."

The survey found 3.4 percent of veterans and their partners had not conceived or had a live birth after trying for a year against 2.3 percent of non-veterans.

It involved 24,379 veterans and 18,439 servicemen who did not serve in the first Gulf War.

The study, the first in Britain into fertility among Gulf War veterans, was published by the British Medical Journal's online service.

A previous study in Denmark found no differences in fertility, while one in Australia was inconclusive.

Gulf War veterans, who have complained for years of health problems since serving there, welcomed the study but agreed more research was needed.

"The study confirms that Gulf War veterans report significantly more symptoms of disease," the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association said.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, July 13, 2004.

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