Journal
BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH
Volume 114, Issue 15, Pages 885-894Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2068
Keywords
atrial septal defect; birth defects; congenital heart defect (CHD) with heterotaxy; fever; intercalary limb deficiency; spina bifida; tetralogy of Fallot; transverse limb deficiency; intestinal atresia; pregnancy; pregnant women; pulmonary atresia
Categories
Funding
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) [5U01DD001285-03, 5U01DD000491-05]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [DD18-001, DD13-003, DD09-001, 02081, 96043]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) [U01DD000494]
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The study found that fever itself or physiological changes associated with infections are linked to certain birth defects, particularly those involving the spine, limbs, and heart. It is important for pregnant or planning-to-be-pregnant women to consider ways to avoid infections that may cause fever and seek guidance on how to treat fevers during pregnancy.
Background Associations between birth defects and fevers attributed to colds, influenza, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been observed in previous studies. Our aim was to study associations between birth defects and fevers attributed to other causes. Methods We analyzed data from 34,862 participants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multistate case-control study of major structural birth defects. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the association between maternal report of fever during early pregnancy due to causes other than colds, influenza, or UTI and 36 categories of birth defects. Results Maternal reports of fever due to other causes were associated with significantly elevated odds ratios ranging from 1.93 to 10.60 for 8 of 36 birth defects, primarily involving the spine, limbs, and heart (spina bifida, intestinal atresia, intercalary limb deficiency, transverse limb deficiency, congenital heart defect with heterotaxy, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia and atrial septal defect, not otherwise specified). Conclusion Our data suggests fever itself or other physiologic changes associated with many infections are associated with some birth defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may want to consider speaking with their healthcare provider about the best ways to avoid infections that may cause fever and for guidance on how to treat fevers during pregnancy.
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