Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Titration of Human Coronaviruses Using an Immunoperoxidase Assay
12:00

Titration of Human Coronaviruses Using an Immunoperoxidase Assay

Published on: April 28, 2008

38.6K

Investigation of Teratogenic Concerns in the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Era

Kate Richardson1, Emily C Daykin2, Kathleen Shields1

  • 1Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.

Birth Defects Research
|February 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

MotherToBaby (MTB) saw increased inquiries about pregnancy exposures, especially concerning COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease of 2019) virus and vaccines. Prescription medications remained the top exposure concern throughout the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive toxicology
  • Public health surveillance

Background:

  • MotherToBaby (MTB) is a teratogen information service providing data on exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a surge in public and healthcare provider inquiries regarding the virus and vaccine safety.
  • This study analyzed exposure data and caller demographics from MTB contacts before and during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the frequency and types of exposures queried by individuals contacting MotherToBaby.
  • To evaluate demographic characteristics of individuals making inquiries.
  • To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teratogen information service queries.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized MotherToBaby (MTB) contact data from 2018 to 2022.
  • Standardized exposure data into 11 categories and linked with demographic information.
  • Employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression for analysis, with a 0.01% significance level.

Main Results:

  • Total contacts to MTB increased significantly between 2019 and 2022.
  • Prescription medications were the most frequent exposure category queried.
  • COVID-19 related exposures became a prominent query category, with peaks correlating to pandemic milestones like vaccine approval.

Conclusions:

  • The findings offer critical insights for healthcare providers and public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • This data can inform preparedness strategies for future pandemics and epidemics.
  • Understanding query trends helps optimize public health information dissemination during health crises.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID‐19birth defectsbreastfeedingexposurespregnancyteratogensvaccine

More Related Videos

Zebrafish as a Model to Assess the Teratogenic Potential of Nitrite07:29

Zebrafish as a Model to Assess the Teratogenic Potential of Nitrite

Published on: February 16, 2016

10.1K
Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions09:02

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

2.2K

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...
4.2K
SI Units: 2019 Redefinition01:13

SI Units: 2019 Redefinition

Measurement is an indispensable part of analytical chemistry. The result of measurement helps quantify a substance's physical property and compare it with the physical property of another substance. Each measurement comprises two components - a number indicating the magnitude and a unit of measurement as a standard for comparison. Further, the same quantity can be measured using different units of measurement, which leads to differences in magnitude.
A standard set of units has been defined...
3.4K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
1.1K
Steps in Outbreak Investigation01:18

Steps in Outbreak Investigation

In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
586
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
2.4K
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT01:30

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and...
1.2K