Maternal Obesity Increases Risk for Birth Defects

Prepregnancy obesity has been associated with birth defects, particularly spina bifida, but data are limited. To further examine this association, researchers analyzed data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, an ongoing multisite case-control study. Sixteen categories of birth defects were analyzed, and self-reported height and prepregnancy weight were used to calculate body-mass index.

In analysis adjusted for potential confounders including maternal age, parity, smoking, and folic acid supplement intake, maternal obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) was associated with significantly increased risks among infants for spina bifida, heart defects, anorectal atresia, hypospadias, limb reduction defects, diaphragmatic hernia, and omphalocele (…