Urinary Tract Defects (urinary + tract_defect)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Sex differences in the prevalence of human birth defects: A population-based study,

BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2001
Joseph M. Lary
Background Sex differences in the prevalence of several human birth defects have often been reported in the literature, but the extent of sex differences for most birth defects is unknown. To determine the full extent of sex differences in birth defects in a population, we examined population-based data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). Methods MACDP records were analyzed for 1968 through 1995. We determined the sex-specific prevalence of all major birth defects, using the total number of live births by sex during these years as the denominator. For each specific defect, we calculated a relative risk with regard to sex on the basis of the ratio of prevalence among males to prevalence among females. Male,female relative risks were also determined for total major birth defects and for several broad categories of defects. Results The overall prevalence of major defects at birth was 3.9% among males and 2.8% among females. All but two of the major categories of birth defects (nervous system defects and endocrine system defects) had a higher prevalence among males. Defects of the sex organs were eight and one-half times more prevalent among males and accounted for about half of the increased risk of birth defects among males relative to females. Urinary tract defects were 62% more prevalent among males, and gastrointestinal tract defects were 55% more prevalent among males. Among specific defect types, twofold or greater differences in prevalence by sex were common. Conclusions Our data indicate that sex differences in the prevalence of specific human birth defects are common, and male infants are at greater risk for birth defects than female infants. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for these differences. Teratology 64:237,251, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Vitamin supplements and the risk for congenital anomalies other than neural tube defects,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2004
Lorenzo D. Botto
Abstract Randomized trials, supported by many observational studies, have shown that periconceptional use of folic acid, alone or in multivitamin supplements, is effective for the primary prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). Whether this is true also for other congenital anomalies is a complex issue and the focus of this review. It is useful to consider the evidence not only for specific birth defects separately but, importantly, also for all birth defects combined. For the latter, the Hungarian randomized clinical trial indicated, for periconceptional multivitamin use, a reduction in the risk for all birth defects (odds ratio (OR),=,0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI),=,0.35,0.70), even after excluding NTDs (OR,=,0.53, 95% CI,=,0.38,0.75). The Atlanta population-based case-control study, the only large observational study to date on all major birth defects, also found a significant risk reduction for all birth defects (OR,=,0.80, 95% CI,=,0.69,0.93) even after excluding NTDs (OR,=,0.84, 95% CI,=,0.72,0.97). These and other studies also evaluated specific anomalies, including those of the heart, limb, and urinary tract, as well as orofacial clefts, omphalocele, and imperforate anus. For cardiovascular anomalies, two studies were negative, whereas three, including the randomized clinical trial, suggest a possible 25,50% overall risk reduction, more marked for some conotruncal and septal defects. For orofacial clefts, six of seven case-control studies suggest an apparent reduced risk, which could vary by cleft type and perhaps, according to some investigators, by pill dosage. For limb deficiencies, three case-control studies and the randomized trial estimated approximately a 50% reduced risk. For urinary tract defects, three case-control studies and the randomized trial reported reduced risks, as did one study of nonsyndromic omphalocele. All these studies examined multivitamin supplement use. With respect to folic acid alone, a reduced rate of imperforate anus was observed among folic acid users in China. We discuss key gaps in knowledge, possible avenues for future research, and counseling issues for families concerned about occurrence or recurrence of these birth defects. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Association of maternal pre-pregnancy weight with birth defects: Evidence from a case,control study in Western Australia

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Wendy H. ODDY
Background: Maternal obesity confers increased risks of poor pregnancy outcomes. There are limited Australian data on the risk of birth defects associated with maternal pre-pregnancy obesity. Methods: Population-based case,control study of 418 controls, 111 cases with heart defects (and of these, 38 had conotruncal heart defects), 27 with neural tube defects, 86 cases with urinary tract defects, 48 cases with orofacial clefts, and 20 with limb reduction defects. Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and height were self-reported. Results: Women with pre-pregnancy obesity (body mass index 30+) had a twofold increased odds of having an infant with neural tube defects, conotruncal heart defects, orofacial clefts and limb reduction defects and 30,40% increase in heart defects generally and urinary tract defects. None of the estimates was statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings were consistent with similar, statistically significant studies in the literature. Weight reduction prior to pregnancy in obese women may be a means of primary prevention of birth defects. [source]


Folate intake and the primary prevention of non-neural birth defects

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2006
Carol Bower
Objectives: To investigate whether maternal periconceptional folate intake is associated with a reduction in selected non-neural birth defects in Western Australia (WA). Methods: Case-control study of folate intake in women whose infants had orofacial clefts (62); congenital heart defects (151); urinary tract defects (117); limb reduction defects (26); or other major birth defects (119); and 578 control women. Results: Neither folic acid supplements nor dietary folate intake in women not using supplements was significantly associated with a reduction in risk in any of the case groups. In contrast to neural tube defects, WA population data for orofacial clefts, heart defects, limb reduction defects and urinary tract defects showed no fall in prevalence since the introduction of folate promotion and voluntary food fortification. Conclusions: This study provides no evidence of folate being an important factor in the prevention of birth defects other than neural tube defects. [source]