harrisonsdream
08-07-2007, 09:17 AM
Obesity linked to birth defects
Study connects heart problems, spina bifida in babies born to obese mothers
By ERIC BERGER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Obese women have a greater chance of delivering babies with birth defects, a new study of about 15,000 women in eight states suggests.
Led by scientists at the University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, the analysis found that women who were obese before they became pregnant faced as much as twice the risk for birth defects such as spina bifida.
"This is another piece of information that suggests women will benefit from maintaining a healthy weight before their pregnancy," said Kim Waller, the study's lead author and an associate professor at UT-Houston.
Physicians have known for about 20 years that diabetes leads to a host of birth complications and defects. Only more recently, however, have scientists begun collecting evidence that obesity also poses serious problems.
As part of their analysis of 16 of the most common birth defects, the researchers attempted to weed out patients in whom diabetes was the cause. Waller said some effect probably lingers in the results, however, because many cases of maternal diabetes go undetected.
In addition to spina bifida, maternal obesity was associated with increased risk of heart defects, limb reduction defects, anorectal atresia (malformation of the anus), hypospadias (an abnormal placement of the urethral opening in boys) and two types of hernias.
On the other hand, researchers found that maternal obesity reduced the risk of gastroschisis, a type of abdominal wall defect.
Although the increased risks are significant, as the incidence of birth defects remains relatively low the overall risk remains small for obese women.
Why obesity would induce such defects in larger women is unclear, Waller said, and should be the focus of further research.
Comprehensive look
The research was done in conjunction with the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Waller and her colleagues interviewed nearly 15,000 mothers — 10,249 of whom had babies with birth defects — within six weeks to 24 months after the baby's birth and asked for the women's height and weight before pregnancy.
Earlier work has found links between a handful of birth defects and obesity, but the current research offers the most comprehensive look at the issue, scientists say.
"This paper identified an increased risk of several birth defects that hadn't been studied before, and that is very important," said Suzan Carmichael, an epidemiologist with the March of Dimes' California Research Division.
Dr. Michael Lucas, an obstetrician/gynecologist at LBJ Hospital and a professor at UT-Houston, said the study should help focus interventions on preventive care for obese women. It's important, he said, to make sure they know they are putting at risk not only their own health, but that of their babies.
The Harris County Hospital District is unlikely to see a woman until she becomes pregnant, Lucas noted. He is working to develop programs that will reduce weight gain during pregnancy and increase weight loss after a first-time mother's delivery, with the goal of having a healthier second pregnancy.
"This is a message that needs to be on billboards around town," Lucas said.
Study connects heart problems, spina bifida in babies born to obese mothers
By ERIC BERGER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Obese women have a greater chance of delivering babies with birth defects, a new study of about 15,000 women in eight states suggests.
Led by scientists at the University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, the analysis found that women who were obese before they became pregnant faced as much as twice the risk for birth defects such as spina bifida.
"This is another piece of information that suggests women will benefit from maintaining a healthy weight before their pregnancy," said Kim Waller, the study's lead author and an associate professor at UT-Houston.
Physicians have known for about 20 years that diabetes leads to a host of birth complications and defects. Only more recently, however, have scientists begun collecting evidence that obesity also poses serious problems.
As part of their analysis of 16 of the most common birth defects, the researchers attempted to weed out patients in whom diabetes was the cause. Waller said some effect probably lingers in the results, however, because many cases of maternal diabetes go undetected.
In addition to spina bifida, maternal obesity was associated with increased risk of heart defects, limb reduction defects, anorectal atresia (malformation of the anus), hypospadias (an abnormal placement of the urethral opening in boys) and two types of hernias.
On the other hand, researchers found that maternal obesity reduced the risk of gastroschisis, a type of abdominal wall defect.
Although the increased risks are significant, as the incidence of birth defects remains relatively low the overall risk remains small for obese women.
Why obesity would induce such defects in larger women is unclear, Waller said, and should be the focus of further research.
Comprehensive look
The research was done in conjunction with the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Waller and her colleagues interviewed nearly 15,000 mothers — 10,249 of whom had babies with birth defects — within six weeks to 24 months after the baby's birth and asked for the women's height and weight before pregnancy.
Earlier work has found links between a handful of birth defects and obesity, but the current research offers the most comprehensive look at the issue, scientists say.
"This paper identified an increased risk of several birth defects that hadn't been studied before, and that is very important," said Suzan Carmichael, an epidemiologist with the March of Dimes' California Research Division.
Dr. Michael Lucas, an obstetrician/gynecologist at LBJ Hospital and a professor at UT-Houston, said the study should help focus interventions on preventive care for obese women. It's important, he said, to make sure they know they are putting at risk not only their own health, but that of their babies.
The Harris County Hospital District is unlikely to see a woman until she becomes pregnant, Lucas noted. He is working to develop programs that will reduce weight gain during pregnancy and increase weight loss after a first-time mother's delivery, with the goal of having a healthier second pregnancy.
"This is a message that needs to be on billboards around town," Lucas said.