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Risk Factors for Birth Defects.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Harris, BS; Bishop, KC; Kemeny, HR; Walker, JS; Rhee, E; Kuller, JA
Published in: Obstet Gynecol Surv
February 2017

IMPORTANCE: Major congenital abnormalities, or birth defects, carry significant medical, surgical, cosmetic, or lifestyle consequences. Such abnormalities may be syndromic, involving multiple organ systems, or can be isolated. Overall, 2% to 4% of live births involve congenital abnormalities. Risk factors for birth defects are categorized as modifiable and nonmodifiable. Modifiable risk factors require thorough patient education/counseling. The strongest risk factors, such as age, family history, and a previously affected child, are usually nonmodifiable. OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on risk factors for birth defects including alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, smoking, obesity, pregestational diabetes, maternal phenylketonuria, multiple gestation, advanced maternal age, advanced paternal age, family history/consanguinity, folic acid deficiency, medication exposure, and radiation exposure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature review via PubMed. RESULTS: There is a strong link between alcohol use, folic acid deficiency, obesity, uncontrolled maternal diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled maternal phenylketonuria, and monozygotic twins and an increased risk of congenital anomalies. Advanced maternal age confers an increased risk of aneuploidy, as well as nonchromosomal abnormalities. Some medications, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, retinoic acid, folic acid antagonists, and certain anticonvulsants, are associated with various birth defects. However, there are few proven links between illicit drug use, smoking, advanced paternal age, radiation exposure, and statins with specific birth defects. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Birth defects are associated with multiple modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Obstetrics providers should work with patients to minimize their risk of birth defects if modifiable risk factors are present and to appropriately counsel patients when nonmodifiable risk factors are present.

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Published In

Obstet Gynecol Surv

DOI

EISSN

1533-9866

Publication Date

February 2017

Volume

72

Issue

2

Start / End Page

123 / 135

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Counseling
  • Congenital Abnormalities
 

Citation

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Harris, B. S., Bishop, K. C., Kemeny, H. R., Walker, J. S., Rhee, E., & Kuller, J. A. (2017). Risk Factors for Birth Defects. Obstet Gynecol Surv, 72(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000405
Harris, Benjamin S., Katherine C. Bishop, Hanna R. Kemeny, Jennifer S. Walker, Eleanor Rhee, and Jeffrey A. Kuller. “Risk Factors for Birth Defects.Obstet Gynecol Surv 72, no. 2 (February 2017): 123–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000405.
Harris BS, Bishop KC, Kemeny HR, Walker JS, Rhee E, Kuller JA. Risk Factors for Birth Defects. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2017 Feb;72(2):123–35.
Harris, Benjamin S., et al. “Risk Factors for Birth Defects.Obstet Gynecol Surv, vol. 72, no. 2, Feb. 2017, pp. 123–35. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000000405.
Harris BS, Bishop KC, Kemeny HR, Walker JS, Rhee E, Kuller JA. Risk Factors for Birth Defects. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2017 Feb;72(2):123–135.

Published In

Obstet Gynecol Surv

DOI

EISSN

1533-9866

Publication Date

February 2017

Volume

72

Issue

2

Start / End Page

123 / 135

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Counseling
  • Congenital Abnormalities