Robert L. Brent, M.D., Ph.D.
Head, Clinical and Environmental Teratology Research Lab, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Radiology and Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University
Phone: (302) 651-6880
Fax: (302) 651-6888
Email: rbrent@nemours.org
Address:
Room 308 R/A
A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, DE 19899
Education
- A.B., M.D., Ph.D., Postdoctoral - University of Rochester
Nemours Education and Research Program
An Alliance to Foster Biomedical Research Between the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware and Nemours Biomedical Research at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children/Nemours Children's Clinic
Research Interests
Environmental causes of birth defects involving animal studies concerned with environmental exposure to drugs, chemicals, ionizing radiation, microwaves and ultrasound. Specific interest of the laboratory at the present time deal with nutritional requirements of the embryo with emphasis on the folic acid methionine cycle.
Current Projects
Analysis of folic acid metabolic cycle to understand which element of the cycles most vulnerable to perturbations that result in neural tube defects.
Research Group
- Lynda Fawcett, Ph.D. - Studying the evaluation of the teratogenicity of homocyseine in rat embryos cultured in vitro.
- Joan Pugarelli, B.S.
Selected Publications
- Brent RL. Saving lives and changing family histories: appropriate counseling of pregnant women and men and women of reproductive age, concerning the risk of diagnostic radiation exposures during and before pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;200(1):4–24.
- Oakley GPJ, Brent RL. Birth defects prevention: “The fierce urgency of now”. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008;82(11):745–747.
- Oakley GPJ, Bell KN, Brent RL. Bio-monitoring the elimination of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly. Reprod Toxicol. 2008;25(4):395–396.
- Collins JJ, Bukowski JA, Weed DL, et al. Evaluating emerging issues in epidemiology. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007;48(3):296–307.
- Brent RL. Risks and benefits of immunizing pregnant women: the risk of doing nothing. Reprod Toxicol. 2006;21(4):383–389.
- Brent RL, Oakley GPJ. The folate debate. Pediatrics. 2006;117(4):1418–1419.
- Brent RL. Nongenital malformations following exposure to progestational drugs: the last chapter of an erroneous allegation. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2005;73(11):906–918.
- Brent RL. Environmental causes of human congenital malformations: the pediatrician's role in dealing with these complex clinical problems caused by a multiplicity of environmental and genetic factors. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):957–968.
- Brent RL. Utilization of animal studies to determine the effects and human risks of environmental toxicants (drugs, chemicals, and physical agents). Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):984–995.
- Brent RL, Weitzman M. The current state of knowledge about the effects, risks, and science of children's environmental exposures. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):1158–1166.
- Brent RL, Weitzman M. The pediatrician's role and responsibility in educating parents about environmental risks. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):1167–1172.
- Brent RL, Tanski S, Weitzman M. A pediatric perspective on the unique vulnerability and resilience of the embryo and the child to environmental toxicants: the importance of rigorous research concerning age and agent. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):935–944.
- Brent R. Bendectin and birth defects: hopefully, the final chapter. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2003;67(2):79–87.
