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In observance of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, here is another special article by the experts at the Arizona Pregnancy Riskline, colleagues of the poison center.

The Pregnancy Riskline is a statewide public serves that provides accurate information to callers about possible effects of medications or substances may have during a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Birth Defects Still Affect Some 160,000 Babies Each Year In The U.S.

A portion of these birth defects are out of our control. Some of these birth defects are preventable, but many women simply don't know which measures to take. Education is crucial to give women the best chances of having a healthy baby.

Arizona Pregnancy Riskline counselors have compiled a list of a few of the preventable causes of some of the most common birth defects.

1. Spinal Cord Defects and Folic Acid (B complex vitamin)
Birth defects of the spinal cord are serious and can be life-threatening. Two of the most common defects are spina bifida and anencephaly, and these occur in about 1 in every 1,000 live births. Getting enough folic acid, and following recommendations to take a multivitamin with folic acid or a folic acid supplement containing at least 400 mcg daily during all of the years that a woman is capable of becoming pregnant can prevent up to 70% of these defects. Because the formation of the spinal cord is in the first month after conception, a time when many women do not yet realize they are pregnant, it is important for women, in addition to a healthy diet, to be taking supplements before pregnancy. That is why the recommendation is to take supplements throughout the childbearing years.

2. Heart Defects and Maternal Obesity
Heart defects are some of the most common. The various types of mistakes in the formation of the heart may occur in as many as 1 in 100 live births. Mothers who are obese at the time they become pregnant (Body Mass Index >30) seem to have an increased chance of having a baby with several kinds of birth defects, including heart defects. If mothers can reduce body weight by making healthy lifestyle changes prior to becoming pregnant, this can help prevent heart and other defects in their baby.

3. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Maternal Drinking
It's thought that fetal alcohol syndrome is the most common recognizable cause of mental retardation. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are born small, have problems with learning and behavior, and may have other birth defects. This is completely preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. This means that women who have the potential to become pregnant can prevent having a child affected by alcohol by modifying their alcohol drinking habits before becoming pregnant. Once a woman knows she is pregnant, she can prevent later effects of alcohol on the baby's growing brain by avoiding alcohol through the rest of the pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

The Arizona Pregnancy Riskline is proud to be affiliated with the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a North American organization supporting education and research about exposures during pregnancy and lactation. OTIS provides fact sheets answering questions about common medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. To reach the Arizona Pregnancy Riskline number, call 1-888-285-3410.

If you have other poisoning concerns or question call the toll-free national hotline at 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center. If you live in Arizona outside of Maricopa County, this number will get you to our experts at the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson. Check out our website for more information.