Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
05:44

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Published on: May 17, 2024

Prepregnant obesity and risks of selected birth defects in offspring

Gary M Shaw1, Suzan L Carmichael

  • 1March of Dimes, California Research Division, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, USA. GShaw@marchofdimes.com

Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|June 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity (BMI ≥30) showed a slight association with anencephaly and spina bifida, but not other major birth defects. This study did not fully confirm previous findings linking prepregnant obesity to these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prepregnant obesity is a known risk factor for certain birth defects, particularly neural tube defects.
  • Previous research suggested a link between maternal obesity and conditions like spina bifida.
  • This study aimed to investigate these associations further and explore others.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between prepregnant maternal obesity and specific birth defects.
  • To assess the association between obesity and anencephaly, spina bifida, d-transposition of great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot.
  • To investigate if increased waist circumference in obese women further modifies the risk of these birth defects.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted using California birth data from July 1999 to June 2004.
  • Mothers of infants with specific birth defects (cases) and healthy infants (controls) were interviewed.
  • Maternal prepregnant Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported weight and height.

Main Results:

  • Obesity (BMI ≥30) was associated with an increased odds ratio for anencephaly (1.6) and spina bifida (1.4).
  • No significant association was found between maternal obesity and d-transposition of great arteries or tetralogy of Fallot.
  • Women with prepregnant obesity and increased waist size showed a modestly elevated risk for anencephaly and spina bifida.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not entirely support prior research linking prepregnant obesity to anencephaly and spina bifida.
  • While a slight association was observed, the results suggest a weaker relationship than previously reported.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the complex interplay between maternal obesity and birth defect development.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection06:11

Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Published on: May 17, 2024

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...