January 31, 2012: When Mom-to-Be's Overweight and Smokes, Risk for Birth Defects Rises
This combination more than doubled odds of heart damage in newborn, study finds

January 30, 2012: Study Looks at Possible HIV Drugs-Birth Defect Link
More research needed into unconfirmed association between antiretrovirals and cleft lip/palate

January 20, 2012: Asthma Meds Likely Safe During Pregnancy: Study
Slight increase in rare birth defects, but cause not clear

January 17, 2012: Drinking Late in First Trimester May Be Most Hazardous
But no alcohol use is safe during pregnancy, study finds

January 03, 2012: Most Adults With Facial Disfigurement Adapt Psychologically
Study found some depression, anxiety in those with congenital disfigurement

December 13, 2011: Birth Defects Seem Rare in Kids of Childhood Cancer Survivors
Findings should reassure parents, doctors say

December 12, 2011: World's Tiniest 'Preemies' Growing Up Healthy: Report
Two premature infants with extremely low birth weights are both leading normal lives

December 06, 2011: Steroids May Boost Survival for Very Preemie Babies
New study also found reduced risk of brain injury for preterm infants

December 06, 2011: Research With Worms May Shed Light on Women's Fertility
Egg cells aged earlier than body cells in roundworms, study found

December 01, 2011: Studies in Mice May Offer Clues to Cleft Lip
Scientists corrected the birth defect in mouse embryos, study says

November 17, 2011: Sunken Chest Demands Prompt Evaluation, Expert Says
Though rarely life-threatening, pediatric condition could indicate underlying disorder

November 14, 2011: Babies Put on Transplant List Before Birth Get Hearts Faster
On average, unborn babies are put on the list 18 days before birth, study shows

November 09, 2011: Maternal Blood Test Might Spot Birth Defects More Safely
Researchers take steps toward noninvasive screening for fetal abnormalities

October 19, 2011: Hypertension, Not Blood Pressure Drugs, Linked to Birth Defects
Study found medications did not raise risk any further

October 11, 2011: Folic Acid in Pregnancy May Prevent Kids' Language Delays
Moms started supplements before conception in Norwegian study

October 04, 2011: Older Dads Can Pass on Gene Mutations That Lower Intellect
Study suggests changes in chromosomes may account for some cases, especially in older fathers

October 03, 2011: Mom's Healthy Diet Might Cut Birth Defect Risk
Prevention involves overall eating, not just supplements, experts say

September 13, 2011: Heart Defect Seems to Pose Low Risk of Aorta Tear
People with bicuspid aortic valve at low risk of aortic dissection, but high risk of aneurysm, researchers say

September 01, 2011: Babies Born With Heart Disease Often Harmed by Gut Bacteria
Toxins that get into blood can affect organ function in these vulnerable children, study finds

August 22, 2011: Steps Outlined to Screen All Newborns for Heart Defects
N.J. will be first state to implement routine testing

August 03, 2011: High Dose of Yeast Infection Drug Linked to Birth Defects, FDA Says
Pregnant women can safely use fluconazole for one-time, low-dose care of vaginal infection, agency says

July 19, 2011: C-Section Rate in U.S. Climbs to All-Time High: Report
Cesareans should not be performed for the convenience of a woman or her doctor, expert says

July 07, 2011: Health Tip: Drinking and Pregnancy
They don't mix

June 30, 2011: Fetal Exposure to Common Epilepsy Drugs May Harm Kids' IQ: FDA
Women of childbearing age need to know of risk from meds such as Depakote, agency says

June 16, 2011: Adding Folate to Tortilla Flour Might Cut Birth Defects Among Hispanics
This group has higher rate of neural tube defects than general population, experts say

June 06, 2011: Epilepsy Drugs' Risk of Birth Defects May Be Dose-Dependent
The higher the dosage, the greater the risk from four common medications, study finds

May 23, 2011: Certain Antibiotics During Pregnancy May Be Safe After All
Ob/gyn group says they're OK for treating urinary tract infections if no other alternative

May 23, 2011: Genes Tied to Severity of Cystic Fibrosis Identified
Researchers hope to find way to extend life expectancy for people with this inherited disease

May 20, 2011: Infants' Cries May Predict Later Language Development
Babies whose cries lacked complexity at 2 months more likely to have language delays at age 2, study suggests

May 17, 2011: Newer Epilepsy Meds Less Likely to Cause Birth Defects: Study
Low overall risk of major birth defects with first-trimester exposure, researchers find

May 04, 2011: New Gene Linked to Congenital Heart Defects
Researchers pinpoint second gene crucial to heart development

April 25, 2011: Pediatricians Urge Better Protection From Chemicals
Children, pregnant women inadequately safeguarded from hazardous compounds, experts say

April 12, 2011: What Happens When Kids Born Blind Gain Sight?
Brain doesn't make connection between seeing and touching right away, small study finds

March 31, 2011: Common Birth Defect May Be Linked to Migraine With Aura
Small study found half of kids with these severe headaches also had congenital heart problem

March 29, 2011: Some Teens Born With Cleft Palate Adjust Better Than Others
Those who are satisfied with their appearance have a better outlook, survey finds

March 23, 2011: Americans' Exposure to Mercury From Fish Won't Harm Hearts: Study
Large analysis finds no detectable cardiovascular danger

March 07, 2011: Noninvasive Test May Identify Down Syndrome Early On
Simple blood draw might someday become routine practice in pregnancy, researchers say

March 02, 2011: Smoking During Early Pregnancy May Put Baby's Heart at Risk
CDC director calls quitting the most important thing a mom can do to protect her child

February 17, 2011: Delivery Even a Bit Early May Mean Developmental Delays
But study also suggests interventions can help children catch up to peers

February 10, 2011: Folate May Not Protect Against Premature Birth
But experts stress crucial nutrient still protects against birth defects

February 09, 2011: Fetal Surgery Could Boost Outcomes in Severe Spina Bifida
Delicate in utero procedure cut rates of disability, but does come with risks, study finds

February 08, 2011: Birth Defect Risk Slightly Higher for Kids of Male Cancer Survivors
But risk is still very low and not affected by the mode of conception, researchers say

December 08, 2010: Chinese Study Suggests New Way to Test for Genetic Diseases
Method involves sampling fetal DNA present in mother's blood

December 03, 2010: Common Epilepsy Drug Taken During Pregnancy Might Raise Spina Bifida Risk
But absolute risk is small with Tegretol, researchers note

November 27, 2010: Identifying Cleft Palate Before Birth of Little Help to Parents
Study found that, outside of improving feeding, prenatal diagnosis didn't change much

November 24, 2010: No Link Between Heartburn Drugs and Birth Defects: Study
But experts still urge women to forgo non-essential medications during pregnancy

November 22, 2010: Deaths From Congenital Heart Defects on the Decline
CDC study finds fatalities linked to these conditions dropped by nearly a quarter over 10 years

November 22, 2010: Tiniest Newborns With Down Syndrome Face Other Health Risks
Combination linked to higher rates of life-threatening heart, lung, digestive disorders, study finds

November 17, 2010: Still Too Many Preterm Births in U.S., Report Finds
March of Dimes hands out a 'D' in its annual state-by-state report card

November 11, 2010: Painkillers in Pregnancy May Harm Son's Fertility, Study Suggests
European research links analgesic use to undescended testicles, but U.S. expert says findings are 'weak'