BACKGROUND: Literature on the risk of birth defects among foreign- versus U.S.-born Hispanics is limited or inconsistent. We examined the association between country of birth, immigration patterns, and birth defects among Hispanic mothers. METHODS: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals and assessed the relationship between mothers' country of birth, years lived in the United States, and birth defects among 575 foreign-born compared to 539 U.S.-born Hispanic mothers. RESULTS: Hispanic mothers born in Mexico/Central America were more likely to deliver babies with spina bifida (OR = 1.53) than their U.S.-born counterparts. Also, mothers born in Mexico/Central America or who were recent United States immigrants (< or =5 years) were less likely to deliver babies with all atrial septal defects combined, all septal defects combined, or atrial septal defect, secundum type. However, Hispanic foreign-born mothers who lived in the United States for >5 years were more likely to deliver babies with all neural tube defects combined (OR = 1.42), spina bifida (OR = 1.89), and longitudinal limb defects (OR = 2.34). Foreign-born mothers, regardless of their number of years lived in the United States, were more likely to deliver babies with anotia or microtia. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the type of birth defect, foreign-born Hispanic mothers might be at higher or lower risk of delivering babies with the defects. The differences might reflect variations in predisposition, cultural norms, behavioral characteristics, and/or ascertainment of the birth defects.
BACKGROUND: Literature on the risk of birth defects among foreign- versus U.S.-born Hispanics is limited or inconsistent. We examined the association between country of birth, immigration patterns, and birth defects among Hispanic mothers. METHODS: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals and assessed the relationship between mothers' country of birth, years lived in the United States, and birth defects among 575 foreign-born compared to 539 U.S.-born Hispanic mothers. RESULTS: Hispanic mothers born in Mexico/Central America were more likely to deliver babies with spina bifida (OR = 1.53) than their U.S.-born counterparts. Also, mothers born in Mexico/Central America or who were recent United States immigrants (< or =5 years) were less likely to deliver babies with all atrial septal defects combined, all septal defects combined, or atrial septal defect, secundum type. However, Hispanic foreign-born mothers who lived in the United States for >5 years were more likely to deliver babies with all neural tube defects combined (OR = 1.42), spina bifida (OR = 1.89), and longitudinal limb defects (OR = 2.34). Foreign-born mothers, regardless of their number of years lived in the United States, were more likely to deliver babies with anotia or microtia. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the type of birth defect, foreign-born Hispanic mothers might be at higher or lower risk of delivering babies with the defects. The differences might reflect variations in predisposition, cultural norms, behavioral characteristics, and/or ascertainment of the birth defects.
Authors: Marisa A Ryan; Andrew F Olshan; Mark A Canfield; Adrienne T Hoyt; Angela E Scheuerle; Suzan L Carmichael; Gary M Shaw; Martha M Werler; Sarah C Fisher; Tania A Desrosiers Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2019-03-23 Impact factor: 1.675
Authors: Russell S Kirby; Cara T Mai; Martha S Wingate; Teresa Janevic; Glenn E Copeland; Timothy J Flood; Jennifer Isenburg; Mark A Canfield Journal: Birth Defects Res Date: 2019-03-28 Impact factor: 2.344
Authors: Amy M Padula; Wei Yang; Suzan L Carmichael; Frederick Lurmann; John Balmes; S Katharine Hammond; Gary M Shaw Journal: Birth Defects Res Date: 2017-02-21 Impact factor: 2.344
Authors: Daniela V Luquetti; Babette S Saltzman; Jorge Lopez-Camelo; Maria da Graça Dutra; Eduardo E Castilla Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2013-11
Authors: Keila N Lopez; Wendy N Nembhard; Ying Wang; Gang Liu; James E Kucik; Glenn Copeland; Suzanne M Gilboa; Russell S Kirby; Mark Canfield Journal: Birth Defects Res Date: 2017-12-01 Impact factor: 2.344
Authors: Adrienne T Hoyt; Mark A Canfield; Gary M Shaw; Dorothy K Waller; Kara N D Polen; Tunu Ramadhani; Marlene T Anderka; Angela E Scheuerle Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2014-07-30