Risk factors of congenital malformations and its impacts on adverse pregnancy outcomes: A prospective cohort study / 中华疾病控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore risk factors of congenital malformations (CMs) and to evaluate its impacts on adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women who received the first antenatal care from March 2013 to February 2016 in the reproductive center, obstetrics clinics, infertility clinics and ultrasound department of Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Corresponding information from pregnant women and their spouses were collected. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to screen possible risk factors of CMs and evaluate the impacts of CMs on other APOs. Results The study showed that women had history of non-standard BMI, smoking, hepatitis, pregnancy-related complications, gestational diabetes mellitus, infertility and using assisted reproductive technology before pregnancy; had no folic acid taking, active and passive smoking, drinking, uneven diet, high intensity physical activity during pregnancy increased the risk of CMs in offspring. Furthermore, the history of spouse smoking and eating betel nut also increased the risk of CMs in offspring. CMs might increase the risk of preterm birth, very preterm birth, low birth weight, very low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Conclusions There are many risk factors of CMs. Knowing these risk factors, and giving them optimal prevention strategies and effective intervention measures are important measures in preventing the occurrence of CMs and other APOs.