Diabetes and the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Women who have diabetes are at an increased risk for complications during pregnancy, including increased risk of birth defects or fetal death. These risks can be minimized by planning pregnancy ahead with the help of your obstetrician and primary diabetes care provider. ... read more »

World Mourns Thalidomide Champion, Frances Oldham Kelsey

Dr. Kelsey would change the world of pharmaceuticals, and save the lives of untold thousands of babies around the world. ... read more »

Antidepressants During Pregnancy

For the pregnant woman on antidepressants, the psychiatrist and the obstetrician can work together to find a suitable treatment that will work with pregnancy and keep baby healthy during gestation. ... read more »

Phentermine - Diet, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage

Phentermine is categorized as category C in pregnancy because it is chemically related to amphetamines, which have been shown to cause miscarriages and birth defects. ... read more »

Why is Folic Acid Important for Pregnancy?

What is folic acid and what does it do? ... read more »

Anti-Aging Face Creams During Pregnancy

Most anti-aging creams are included on the list of beauty treatments that are considered unsafe to use during pregnancy due to the fact that anti-aging creams often include high doses of vitamin A. ... read more »

Birth Defects

Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth. Birth defects change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. ... read more »

The Quad Screen Test

The quad marker screen is a blood test done between 15 and 20 weeks (usually closer to 15 weeks), that will help to recognize the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects. ... read more »

Is It Safe to Eat Pate or Liver While Pregnant?

Wondering if it is safe to eat liver or pate during pregnancy? Keep reading! ... read more »

Healthy Pregnancy Diet May Reduce Birth Defect Risk

Women who eat healthy during pregnancy are less apt to have children with birth defects, according to new research published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. ... read more »

Bloom Syndrome

Bloom Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder first recognized and described by Dr. David Bloom. Another name for Bloom Syndrome is Bloom-Torre-Machacek Syndrome. ... read more »

Canavan Disease

Canavan Disease is a genetic disorder commonly found in Ashkenazi Jews. The disease causes a premature breakdown of white matter in the brain. The disease is associated with chromosome 17. ... read more »

Preconconception Vitamins and Folic Acid

Folic acid in combination with a multivitamin supplement has been associated with a decrease in specific birth defects. ... read more »

Folic Acid Absorption Affected By Medications

First trimester exposure to certain medications such as folic acid antagonists is associated with increased risk for neural tube, cardiovascular and urinary tract defect. ... read more »

Allergy Shots

Is it safe to receive allergy shots when trying to conceive (TTC) and during pregnancy? ... read more »

Can too much Vitamin E hurt my baby?

The RDA for pregnant women is 18 mg of Vitamin E. Recent studies have shown that taking in too much Vitamin E during pregnancy can cause birth defects in children. ... read more »

Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy

Aspartame is the artificial sweetener found in NutraSweet, Equal, and most diet soft drinks and other sugar-free treats, and it's considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts. ... read more »

Cyclopia: The One-Eyed Baby

Cyclopia is an extremely rare birth defect where the baby is born with one eye or two eyes on the forehead of the baby. ... read more »

Phocomelia - Shortened or Absent Arms or Legs

Phocomelia is a congenital disorder that presents with a reduction in length of the long bones of the legs and / or arms. ... read more »

Radiation, Flying, and Pregnancy. Is it a problem?

There is no increased risk from radiation when flying in pregnancy. ... read more »

Clomiphene (Clomid) During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Clomiphene (Clomid) during pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying to conceive (TTC). Is it safe? ... read more »

Congenital Hypoplastic (Left Heart Syndrome)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. For the first 10 to 11 days after birth, the patent ductus arteriosus, this closes soon after birth. ... read more »

Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth. Symptoms of the condition include difficulty eating, failure to thrive, no weight gain or weight loss, sudden death or stroke. ... read more »

Congenital Duncan’s Disease

The official name of Duncan's Disease is X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. The condition is caused by a malformation of the X chromosome, which means both male and female children can be affected. Specifically, the SH2D1A gene does not exist. ... read more »

Congenital Dandy Walker Syndrome

Patients with Dandy Walker Syndrome are diagnosed with a malformation of the brain involving the cerebellum and the space around the cerebellum that is filled with fluid. ... read more »

Congenital Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Infants born with a hyper flexibility may be diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The condition is characterized by loose joints and loose connective tissue. ... read more »

Marrying a Cousin - Is There An Increased Risk In Pregnancy?

A task force has recently looked into the medical issues of cousin marriage and whether there are increased complications when cousins marry. ... read more »

Craniophagus Parasiticus

There have been several famous cases of children being born attached at the head or other part of the body. ... read more »

Albinism

Albinism is characterized by a lack of the pigment melanin in skin, hair and eyes. There are two main forms of albinism. ... read more »

Congenital Hypotonia - Low Muscle Tone

Children born with hypotonia have low muscle tone and lower than average strength. Most children are not born with hypotonia, but develop it as a result of some other disorder or disease. ... read more »

Trisomy 13 - Patau Syndrome

Trisomy 13 syndrome is a disorder of human chromosomes which occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 live born infants. Trisomy 13 is due to the presence of an extra #13 chromosome. ... read more »

Congenital Hypertrichosis - Wolf Baby

The conditions manifest as hair growing all over the face and back of the body. This hair is not normal hair, but resembles more closely the fur on an animal's body. ... read more »

Indeterminate Sex

When an infant is born with indeterminate sex, the genital organs are not visually male or female. ... read more »

Heartburn Medications Not Linked to Birth Defects

Heartburn is a common complication in pregnancy, but researchers say pregnant women should not worry about their effects on the unborn fetus. ... read more »

Harlequin-type Ichthyosis

Infants born with Harlequin-type Ichthyosis present with dry, scaly skin creating a diamond pattern on the body. Skin is much thicker than normal and does not bend so severe cracking occurs. When cracks forms, risk of infection increases. Some skin infections associated with Harlequin-type Ichthyosis can be fatal. ... read more »

Smoking Linked to Clubfoot and Other Physical Birth Defects

Doctors are constantly reminding pregnant women of the risk factors associated with smoking during pregnancy such as lower birth weight and increased risk of miscarriage. But despite the warnings, there have been no proven physical birth defects associated with smoking, until now. ... read more »

Paxil (Paroxetine) During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Paroxetine (Paxil) during pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying to conceive (TTC). Is it safe? ... read more »

Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate

The term cleft lip or cleft palate refers to a birth defect that affects the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, known as the palate. In mild cases, the birth defect does not affect eating and can easily be repaired with simple cosmetic surgery. ... read more »

Club Foot

Club foot is a physical deformity that develops in-utero. About one in 1,000 births are affected by the birth defect. Male children are slightly more prone to the condition than female children. ... read more »

The Invisible Face of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the term used to describe a series of birth defects associated with fetal alcohol exposure in utero. ... read more »

Fluconazole During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

All about Fluconazole and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Is it safe to use while pregnant and/or breastfeeding? ... read more »

Cool Pregnant Women Have Healthier Pregnancies

According to research completed by QUT (Queensland University of Technology), pregnant women need to stay cool during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy to decrease the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. ... read more »

Noninvasive Chromosomal Defect Test for Fetus

The current trusted method of testing for chromosomal anomalies in the fetus involves an invasive procedure where amniotic fluid is drawn from the amniotic sac and tested. The procedure is expensive and posts risk of infection and fetal harm. ... read more »

Early Pregnancy Hypertension Increases Birth Defect Risk

A new research study published in the British Medical Journal, claims women with high blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to have children with birth defects. ... read more »

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome More Complex Than Once Believed

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a series of birth defects associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. ... read more »

Warfarin (Blood Thinner) During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

All about warfarin and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Is it safe during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding? ... read more »

Lithium During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

All about Lithium and pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying to conceive (TTC). Is it safe? ... read more »

Trentinoin During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

All about Trentinoin and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Is it safe to use while pregnant and/or breastfeeding? ... read more »

Theophylline During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

All about theophylline and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Is it safe during pregnancy and/org breastfeeding? ... read more »

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