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Faq146 -- reducing risks of birth defects

f AQ
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFAQ146PREGNANCY Reducing Risks of Birth Defects
• What is a birth defect?
• What causes birth defects?
• What can I do before or during pregnancy to decrease my risk of having a baby with certain birth defects?
• Why should I see my health care provider before becoming pregnant?
• What factors increase the risk of having a baby with a birth defect?
• Why is taking a multivitamin important before and during pregnancy?
• What do I need to know about taking medications during pregnancy?
• How can obesity have an impact on my pregnancy?
• Why is it important to talk to my health care provider if I have certain medical conditions and am thinking
of becoming pregnant?
• Why is it important for me to not drink alcohol during pregnancy?
• How can recreational drug use affect my pregnancy?
• What infections should I be concerned about and how can I reduce my risk of getting them during pregnancy?
• What precautions can I take to limit my exposure to agents that can cause birth defects?
• Glossary
What is a birth defect?
A birth defect is a condition that is present at birth and affects how a baby looks, functions, or both. Some birth defects can
be seen right after the baby is born, such as a clubfoot or extra fingers or toes. Special tests may be needed to find others,
such as heart defects or hearing loss. Some birth defects are not noticed until later in life. What causes birth defects?
Some birth defects are caused by genes that can be passed down from parents to children. Others result from a problem
with chromosomes. A small number of birth defects are caused by exposure during pregnancy to certain medications,
infections, and chemicals. For many birth defects, the cause is not known. What can I do before or during pregnancy to decrease my risk of having a baby with certain birth defects?
Most birth defects cannot be prevented because their cause is not known. For a few birth defects, you may be able to
decrease your risk by taking certain steps: • See your doctor before becoming pregnant.
• Know your risk factors. • Take a daily multivitamin before and during pregnancy.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Use medications wisely.
• Take care of medical conditions before pregnancy.
• Do not use alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Prevent infections.
• Avoid known harmful agents. Why should I see my health care provider before becoming pregnant?
Scheduling a health care visit before becoming pregnant is a good idea. Along with getting advice about diet and exercise
from your health care provider, you can discuss whether you have any factors that increase the risk of having a child with a birth defect. If you have a medical condition, you also can discuss any special care that you may need before or during What factors increase the risk of having a baby with a birth defect?
You may be at an increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect if you
• are older
• have a family or personal history of birth defects
• have had a child with a birth defect
• use certain medicines around the time you become pregnant
• have a medical condition such as diabetes or obesity
• use recreational drugs or drink alcohol during pregnancy
If you have any risk factors, your health care provider may recommend special tests or other steps that may help reduce your risk. For example, if you have a personal or family history of birth defects, genetic counseling and testing may be Why is taking a multivitamin important before and during pregnancy?
Prenatal vitamin supplements contain the recommended amounts of the vitamins and minerals you will need during your
pregnancy, such as vitamins A, C, and D; folic acid; and minerals such as iron. Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily
for at least 1 month before pregnancy and during pregnancy helps prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine called neural tube defects. Most prenatal and "women's formula" multivitamin supplements contain 600–800 micrograms
What do I need to know about taking medications during pregnancy?
A few medications have been linked to birth defects. You should tell anyone who prescribes drugs for you that you are
pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. This includes doctors you see for non-pregnancy problems, mental health care providers, and your dentist. Also, check with your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter drug, such as pain relievers, laxatives, cold or allergy remedies, vitamins, herbal products, and skin treatments. A good source for information about the safety or risk of specific drugs and other agents during pregnancy is the Organization of Teratology Information Specialist's web site at www.otispregnancy.org. How can obesity have an impact on my pregnancy?
Women who are obese (defined as having a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or greater) when they become pregnant have an
increased risk of having babies with certain birth defects than women who are a normal weight. Among the most common obesity-related birth defects are neural tube defects, heart defects, and cleft palate. If you are planning a pregnancy, the best way to prevent problems caused by obesity is to be at a normal weight before you become pregnant. Why is it important to talk to my health care provider if I have certain medical conditions and am thinking of
becoming pregnant?
Some medical conditions—such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizure disorders—may increase the risk of having
a baby with certain birth defects. If you have a medical condition, see your health care provider to discuss any changes you need to make in your diet, medication, or other areas to bring the condition under control before you try to become pregnant. Why is it important for me to not drink alcohol during pregnancy?
Alcohol use during pregnancy is a leading cause of birth defects. "Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" is a term that describes
different effects that can occur in the fetus when a woman drinks during pregnancy. These effects may include physical,
behavioral, and learning disabilities that can last a lifetime. One of the most serious effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome. Birth defects caused by alcohol are 100% preventable by avoiding all alcohol while you are
How can recreational drug use affect my pregnancy?
Use of illegal drugs (such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, and marijuana) and prescription drugs used for nonmedical
reasons (such as oxycodone) can harm your baby. Some drugs cause growth problems in the baby. Others may cause long- term emotional, behavioral, and learning problems. Many drugs increase the risk of preterm birth and other serious birth
problems. You should avoid all use of these drugs during pregnancy.
What infections should I be concerned about and how can I reduce my risk of getting them during
pregnancy?
Some infections can increase the risk of birth defects and other problems during pregnancy for you and your growing baby:
• Rubella (German measles) is a viral infection that usually causes a mild rash and a low fever. Having rubella during
pregnancy can cause miscarriage or result in deafness, intellectual disability, heart defects, and blindness in your newborn. There is a vaccine against rubella, but it is not recommended for pregnant women. If you have not already had the disease or been vaccinated, you should be vaccinated against rubella and wait at least 1 month before becoming • Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that lives in soil. You can become infected by eating raw or undercooked
meat or unwashed vegetables or by coming into contact with animal feces, especially from cats that go outdoors. If you are infected for the first time while you are pregnant, you can pass the disease on to your baby. Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects, including hearing loss, vision problems, and intellectual disability. Make sure that you eat well-cooked meat and wear gloves while gardening or handling unwashed vegetables. If you have an outdoor cat that uses a litter box, have someone else empty it. If you must empty the litter box, use gloves and wash your hands well after doing so. • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause serious birth defects. Treating an STI—preferably before you become
pregnant—may prevent or reduce harm to the fetus. • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection. Most CMV infections cause no significant problems. If you are
infected for the first time when you are pregnant, CMV can infect the fetus. In a small number of cases, the infection can cause intellectual disability, hearing loss, and vision problems. CMV can be spread by contact with an infected child's urine or other body fluids. Pregnant women who work with young children, such as day care workers or health care workers, should take steps to prevent infection, such as wearing gloves when changing diapers. Frequent handwashing also is recommended. What precautions can I take to limit my exposure to agents that can cause birth defects?
A few precautions that are recommended for all pregnant women include the following:
• Limit your exposure to mercury by not eating eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. Limit eating white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week. You do not have to avoid all fish during pregnancy. In fact, fish and shellfish are nutritious foods with vital nutrients for a pregnant woman and her growing baby. Be sure to eat at least 8–12 ounces of low-mercury fish and shellfish per week. • Avoid exposure to lead. Lead can be found in old paint, construction materials, alternative medicines, and items made in foreign countries, such as jewelry and pottery. • Avoid taking high levels of vitamin A. Very high levels of vitamin A have been linked to severe birth defects. Your prenatal multivitamin should contain no more than 5,000 international units of vitamin A. Glossary
Body Mass Index (BMI): A number calculated from height and weight that is used to determine whether a person is
underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
Chromosomes: Structures that are located inside each cell in the body and contain the genes that determine a person's
physical makeup.
Clubfoot: A birth defect in which the foot is misshaped and twisted out of position.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A virus that can be transmitted to a fetus if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy. It can
cause hearing loss, intellectual disability, and vision problems in infected infants.
Diabetes: A condition in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A pattern of physical, mental, and behavioral problems in the baby that are thought to be due to
alcohol abuse by the mother during pregnancy.
Fetus: The developing organism in the uterus from the ninth week of pregnancy until the end of pregnancy.
Folic Acid: A vitamin that has been shown to reduce the risk of certain birth defects when taken in sufficient amounts before
and during pregnancy.
Genes: Segments of DNA that contain instructions for the development of a person's physical traits and control of the
processes in the body. They are the basic units of heredity and can be passed down from parent to offspring.
Neural Tube Defects: Birth defects that result from incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings.
Obesity: A condition characterized by excessive body fat.
Preterm: Born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Rubella: A virus that can be passed to the fetus if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy and that can cause
miscarriage or severe birth defects.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections that are spread by sexual contact, including chlamydia, gonorrhea,
human papillomavirus infection, herpes, syphilis, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).
Toxoplasmosis: An infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an organism that may be found in raw and rare meat, garden
soil, and cat feces and can be harmful to the fetus.
If you have further questions, contact your obstetrician–gynecologist.
FAQ146: Designed as an aid to patients, this document sets forth current information and opinions related to women's health. The information does not dictate an exclusive course
of treatment or procedure to be followed and should not be construed as excluding other acceptable methods of practice. Variations, taking into account the needs of the individual patient, resources, and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice, may be appropriate.
Copyright October 2014 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

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