"What we know is that a portion of these birth defects are out of our control. However, what's frustrating is that some of these birth defects are preventable, but many women simply don't know which measures to take," said Dr. Christina Chambers, associate professor of pediatrics at UCSD and program director of CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line. "It's crucial we educate all women in order to give them the best chances of having a healthy baby," she added.
In honor of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, which is recognized during January each year, CTIS counselors are stepping up efforts to help educate the public. Counselors, who provide California women answers to questions about exposures during pregnancy and lactation through a toll-free hotline, (800) 532-3749, and website, CTISPregnancy.org, have compiled a list of a few of the preventable causes of some of the most common birth defects.
1. Neural Tube Defects and Folic Acid Supplementation
Neural tube defects are malformations of the spinal cord that are serious and can be life-threatening. Two of the most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly, and these occur in about 1 in every 1,000 live births. Getting enough folic acid, and following recommendations to take a multivitamin with folic acid or a folic acid supplement containing at least 400 mcg daily during all of the years that a woman is capable of becoming pregnant can prevent up to 70% of these defects. Because the neural tube closes in the first month after conception, a time when many women do not yet realize they are pregnant, it is important for women, in addition to a healthy diet, to be taking supplements before pregnancy. That is why the recommendation is to take supplements throughout the childbearing years.
2. Heart Defects and Maternal Obesity
Heart defects are some of the most common malformations. The various types of errors in the formation of the heart may occur in as many as 1 in 100 live births. Mothers who are obese at the time they become pregnant (Body Mass Index >30) seem to have an increased chance of having a baby with several kinds of birth defects, including heart defects. If mothers can reduce body weight by making healthy lifestyle changes prior to becoming pregnant, this can help prevent heart and other defects in their baby.
3. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Maternal Drinking
"It's thought that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the most common recognizable cause of mental retardation," said Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones, who founded CTIS and was one of the doctors who first identified FAS in 1973. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are born small, have problems with learning and behavior, and may have other birth defects. "It's completely preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy," he added. This means that women who have the potential to become pregnant can prevent having a child affected by alcohol by modifying their alcohol drinking habits prior to becoming pregnant. Once a woman knows she is pregnant, she can prevent later effects of alcohol on the baby's growing brain by avoiding alcohol through the remainder of the pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
"This list is just the beginning," said Dr. Chambers. "There are so many things women can do during pregnancy to prevent certain birth defects, such as avoiding illicit drugs and cigarettes, getting early prenatal care to address management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line is here to help provide as much information to women as possible," she added.
CTIS' national affiliate, The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) has partnered with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) to provide a complete list of resources to promote Birth Defect Prevention Month and can be found at NBDPN.org. This year's birth defects awareness campaign theme is "Medication Use Before, During and After Pregnancy." In addition, CTIS has an extensive list of fact sheets in English and Spanish that includes various medications and their effects during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These can be found at CTISPregnancy.org.
Questions or concerns from women in California about other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be directed to the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, at (800) 532-3749 or online at CTISPregnancy.org. CTIS is also preparing to launch a web chat counseling service in mid-January as another way women can get questions answered through CTISPregnancy.org. Outside of California, women are encouraged to call the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists at (866) 626-OTIS (6847).
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CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line is the California affiliate of OTIS, a North American non-profit dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information to patients and health care professionals about exposures during pregnancy and lactation through its toll-free hotline and website, http://www.otispregnancy.org/. Nearly 100,000 women seek information about birth defect prevention from OTIS and its affiliates every year.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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