We all have a 3-4% background risk to have a baby born with a birth defect, genetic disease or mental retardation, regardless of family history. However, women who take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, prior to conception and throughout pregnancy, will significantly decrease their risk to have a child born with a neural tube defect. Typically, 400 micrograms of folic acid is the amount that is found in a daily multivitamin. Folic acid may reduce the chance for other birth defects as well.

One of every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. A birth defect can affect almost any part of the body. The well being of the child depends mostly on which organ or body part is involved and how much it is affected. Many birth defects affect the heart. About 1 in every 100 to 200 babies is born with a heart defect. Heart defects make up about one-third to one-fourth of all birth defects. Some of these heart defects can be serious, and a few are very severe.

We do not know what causes most birth defects. Sometimes they just happen and are not caused by anything that the parents did or didn't do. Many parents feel guilty if they have a child with a birth defect even if they did everything they could to have a healthy child.

Birth defects happen before a baby is born. Inherited or genetic factors; things in the environment, such as smoking or drinking alcohol or not getting enough folic acid; and a woman s illness during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Most birth defects happen in the first 3 months of pregnancy, when the organs of the baby are forming. This is the most important stage of development. However, some birth defects happen later in pregnancy.

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There is no reported correlation between babies conceived with medical intervention and birth defects. The risk is no greater than in the normal population.

You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a heart attack by avoiding smoking, taking regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 times a week), eating a balanced diet which is rich in fruit and vegetables and low in salt and saturated fat.

Some prescription drugs cause birth defects and should never be taken if there is any chance that a woman is pregnant or could become pregnant while taking the drug. Drugs that are used to treat a serious or life threatening illness should be avoided if possible. Prescription drugs known to cause birth defects include thalidomide (Thalomid) and isotretinoin (Accutane). A pregnant woman should always talk with her doctor about the risks and benefits of any drugs before taking them.

Women who use illegal drugs, or "street drugs," can have babies who are small, premature, or have other health problems, such as birth defects. Women who use cocaine while pregnant are more likely to have babies with birth defects of the limbs, gut, kidneys, urinary system, and heart. Other drugs, such as marijuana and ecstasy, may also cause birth defects in babies. Women should not use street drugs while they are pregnant.

No. Currently only Down syndrome and trisomy 18 can be detected by screening through measurements of proteins in the mother's blood and nuchal translucency. If the fetus's NT measurement is greater than 3 mm, which occurs in fewer than 1-in-20 women (5%) there may be an increased risk of some types of birth defects. We will discuss that with you if we find that.

Most c-sections are unexpected, so it is unlikely you can do anything special to avoid one; however, you may be able to reduce your risk by doing the following:

Changing advice on the sleep position [to recommending that babies be put to sleep on their back] is probably the biggest intervention that's been made in the last ten years. It looks like, depending on the study you read, we've seen somewhere between a 17 and 34 percent reduction in the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome with the "back to sleep" program.

Yes, some birth defects "run in the family." Babies with certain types of birth defects may have an extra or a missing chromosome. Birth defects can also happen when just a piece of a chromosome is missing or if just an extra piece is added. Also, certain genes may make a fetus more sensitive to things that cause birth defects.

CDC does research to try to find the causes of birth defects. Some people at CDC work in a lab doing basic science research to find answers. For example, we may study how chemicals in the air or water or land might harm a developing baby. Others at CDC are "epidemiologists" who look at all types of birth defects. They try to figure out what babies with certain birth defects have in common. They might study people's genes, their use of certain drugs, or their behaviors.

Kidney Health - What you should know.... You can lose most of their kidney function before feeling sick - and by then it's too late. There is no cure. Dialysis or a transplant are the only options once your kidneys fail. If you ticked one or more of these risk factors - you are at increased risk and should ask your doctor for a kidney health check.

There is strong scientific evidence that having regular screening tests for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 reduces deaths from colorectal cancer. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. Studies have also shown that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk for colorectal cancer.

Reduce the risk of limb deficiencies in your unborn child by taking medications only when absolutely necessary and under your doctor's supervision.

There are many things that you can do to reduce your heart attack risk. Eating right and exercise can lower cholesterol and strengthen your heart muscle. Many studies have shown the benefits of taking an aspirin such as Ecotrin? every day for your heart if you already suffered a heart attack in the past. Ecotrin? aspirin keeps the blood flowing through your blood vessels. Be sure to join Here's to LifeTM, our FREE Heart Health Program.

Most birth defects, or congenital anomalies, occur for unknown reasons. Some are genetic in origin, which means that it is related to the chromosomes or genes; this does not necessarily mean that the problem is inherited from the parents. Other anomalies occur randomly during the very complex process of embryonic and fetal development. Some anomalies are discovered prior to delivery through ultrasound or amniocentesis, whereas others are not known before birth.

One of the most frequently asked questions is, "Will my baby have diabetes?" Almost universally the answer is no. However, the baby is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life, and of having other problems related to gestational diabetes, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) mentioned earlier. If your blood sugars were not elevated during the 24 hours before delivery, there is a good chance that hypoglycemia will not be a problem for your baby.

Some studies have suggested there may be an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight and an increased risk of birth defects with ART procedures, but these findings are controversial. Please speak with your physician if you have concerns about this issue.

of all babies are born with some kind of birth defect. Ultrasound can detect most, but not all birth defects that may be present. Some birth defects and many forms of mental retardation cannot be diagnosed using prenatal ultrasound. The sex of the baby can almost always be determined at ultrasound scans performed at or after 12 weeks gestation, however sex determination alone is not generally considered an indication for having the study performed.

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Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer, but it also decreases your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. The effect of birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't quite clear. However, some studies do show a link between pill use and breast cancer.

Age less than 18 or greater than 35, unusual physical or mental stress. If you have any of these conditions, you can discuss them with your physician.

You can reduce your risk through weight-bearing exercise, not smoking, and eating foods rich in calcium such as: milk, broccoli, yogurt, salmon, and dark green vegetables.

Avoid using pesticides in your home or yard, or on your pet -- use baits or traps instead, keepin your home especially clean to prevent ant or roach infestations. Find out if pesticides are used in your child's school or day care center and campaign for non-toxic alternatives. Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap. Do not give young children soft plastic teethers or toys, since these leach potential endocrine disrupting chemicals.