Risk Factors for Birth Defects

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 tominimize their risk of birth defects ifmodifiable risk factors are present and to appropriately counsel patients when nonmodifiable risk factors are present. Target Audience: Obstetrician and gynecologists, family physicians, maternal-fetal medicine physicians, and genetic counselors. Learning Objectives: The learner should be better able to (1) outline themost common modifiable maternal risk factors that are associated with birth defects; (2) locate high-quality health information resources for patients; and (3) promote patient autonomy, responsibility, and motivation to pursue healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy.