BACKGROUND: Several previous studies suggest that maternal stress may be associated with increased risk of certain birth defects. This study examined the association of maternal stressful life events with risks of several birth defects. METHODS: The data are from a recent, population-based case-control study. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1355 eligible case mothers and 700 control mothers. Maternal stress was measured by responses to 18 yes/no questions about life events that occurred from 2 months before through 2 months after conception. RESULTS: An increase in the stressful life events index (ie, number of "yes" responses to the 18 life-events questions) was associated with increased risk of cleft palate, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, d-transposition of the great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot, after adjustment for maternal race-ethnicity, education, obesity, age, smoking, drinking, intake of folic acid-containing supplements, neighborhood crime, and food insecurity. For example, the odds ratio for a 3-unit change in the stress index was 1.45 (95% confidence interval = 1.03-2.06) for cleft palate. Increased stress was associated with an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly particularly among women who did not take folic acid supplements. A 3-unit change in stress was associated with a 2.35-fold increased risk of anencephaly among women who did not take supplements (CI =1.47-3.77) and a 1.42-fold increased risk among women who did (CI = 0.89-2.25). CONCLUSION: The adverse health effects of stress may include increased risks of certain birth defects.
BACKGROUND: Several previous studies suggest that maternal stress may be associated with increased risk of certain birth defects. This study examined the association of maternal stressful life events with risks of several birth defects. METHODS: The data are from a recent, population-based case-control study. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1355 eligible case mothers and 700 control mothers. Maternal stress was measured by responses to 18 yes/no questions about life events that occurred from 2 months before through 2 months after conception. RESULTS: An increase in the stressful life events index (ie, number of "yes" responses to the 18 life-events questions) was associated with increased risk of cleft palate, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, d-transposition of the great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot, after adjustment for maternal race-ethnicity, education, obesity, age, smoking, drinking, intake of folic acid-containing supplements, neighborhood crime, and food insecurity. For example, the odds ratio for a 3-unit change in the stress index was 1.45 (95% confidence interval = 1.03-2.06) for cleft palate. Increased stress was associated with an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly particularly among women who did not take folic acid supplements. A 3-unit change in stress was associated with a 2.35-fold increased risk of anencephaly among women who did not take supplements (CI =1.47-3.77) and a 1.42-fold increased risk among women who did (CI = 0.89-2.25). CONCLUSION: The adverse health effects of stress may include increased risks of certain birth defects.
Authors: Anthony Wemakor; Karen Casson; Ester Garne; Marian Bakker; Marie-Claude Addor; Larraitz Arriola; Miriam Gatt; Babak Khoshnood; Kari Klungsoyr; Vera Nelen; Mary O'Mahoney; Anna Pierini; Anke Rissmann; David Tucker; Breidge Boyle; Lolkje de Jong-van den Berg; Helen Dolk Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2015-07-07 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Jennita Reefhuis; Suzanne M Gilboa; Marlene Anderka; Marilyn L Browne; Marcia L Feldkamp; Charlotte A Hobbs; Mary M Jenkins; Peter H Langlois; Kimberly B Newsome; Andrew F Olshan; Paul A Romitti; Stuart K Shapira; Gary M Shaw; Sarah C Tinker; Margaret A Honein Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2015-06-02
Authors: Hildur Skuladottir; Allen Wilcox; Robert McConnaughey; Hallvard Vindenes; Rolv T Lie Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2014-07-08 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Paula Braveman; Kristen Marchi; Susan Egerter; Soowon Kim; Marilyn Metzler; Tonya Stancil; Moreen Libet Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2008-11-27