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Key Findings from Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Genetics Projects

Scientists in the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities use epidemiologic research to learn more about the causes of birth defects. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and causes of diseases and health outcomes in the human population. The goal of birth defects epidemiology is to describe the frequency and pattern of the occurrence of birth defects, identify causes that may explain the occurrence of birth defects, and ultimately to prevent or reduce the occurrence of birth defects. Click on the links below to learn more about some recently completed projects from our branch.

• Survival of Infants with Down Syndrome
• Impact of Folic Acid Fortification on Orofacial Clefts
• Priorities for Future Public Health Research in Orofacial Clefts
• Health Concerns of Pregnant Women and Infants in Times of Natural Disasters
• Maternal Smoking, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, and Orofacial Clefts
• Birth Outcomes After West Nile Virus Infection
• National Estimates of and Racial and Ethnic Variations Among Selected Birth Defects
• Obesity as a Risk Factor for Birth Defects
• Maternal Thyroid Disease as a Risk Factor for Craniosynostosis
• Drop in Folate Status Among Women of Childbearing Age
• Hospital Stays, Hospital Charges, and In-hospital Deaths Among Infants With Select Birth Defects
   

Date: January 14, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities