Multivitamins and Birth Defects
Clinical Study Title:
Multivitamin supplementation and risk of birth defects.
| Plain
English Summary: |
Neural
tube defect (NTD) in babies is thought to be somewhat
preventable by using a multivitamin supplement during
pregnancy. Babies with various birth defects, aborted
fetuses with birth defects, and babies without birth
defects were examined, and the mothers were contacted
about their pregnancy nutritional behaviors. The behaviors
of the mothers of the babies and aborted fetuses with
birth defects were compared to the behaviors of the
mothers of the babies without birth defects. It was
found that the mothers who used a multivitamin were
less likely to have babies with birth defects, with
the exception of cardiac deformities. This suggests
that multivitamin usage before and during pregnancy
also prevents against other birth defects beyond NTD.
|
|
Authors:
Werler MM. Hayes C. Louik C. Shapiro S. Mitchell AA.
Institution:
Slone Epidemiology Unit, School of Public Health, Boston University,
MA, USA.
Country of Publication:
United States
Source:
American Journal of Epidemiology. 150(7):675-82, 1999 Oct 1.
|
