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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Review

Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy and congenital heart defects in offspring: review of the current evidence

Authors: Yu Feng, Di Yu, Lei Yang, Min Da, Zhiqi Wang, Yuan Lin, Bixian Ni, Song Wang, Xuming Mo

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

The prognosis of children with congenital heart defects(CHDs) continues to improve with advancing surgical techniques; however, lack of information about modifiable risk factors for malformations in cardiovascular development impeded the prevention of CHDs. We investigated an association between maternal lifestyle factors and the risk of CHDs, because epidemiological studies have reported conflicting results regarding maternal lifestyle factors and the risk of CHDs recently. A review published on 2007 provided a summary of maternal exposures associated with an increased risk of CHDs. As part of noninherited risk factors, we conducted a brief overview of studies on the evidence linking common maternal lifestyle factors, specifically smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, caffeine, body mass index and psychological factors to the development of CHDs in offspring. Women who smoke and have an excessive body mass index(BMI) during pregnancy are suspected to be associated with CHDs in offspring. Our findings could cause public health policy makers to pay more attention to women at risk and could be used in the development of population-based prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and burden of CHDs. However, more prospective studies are needed to investigate the association between maternal lifestyle factors and CHDs.

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Title: Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy and congenital heart defects in offspring: review of the current evidence
Authors: Yu Feng
Di Yu
Lei Yang
Min Da
Zhiqi Wang
Yuan Lin
Bixian Ni
Song Wang
Xuming Mo
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-014-0085-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy and congenital heart defects in offspring: review of the current evidence

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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