A spectrum project: preterm birth and small-for-gestational age among infants with birth defects


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The aim of this study is to investigate the association between birth defects (BDs), prematurity and small-for-gestational age (SGA) in a population-based sample.


Participants were singleton live births enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, including 18 737 case infants with one or more BD and 7999 controls. Logistic regression


models to evaluate associations between BDs, prematurity and fetal growth were computed while adjusting for covariates.


Cases were significantly more likely to be born prematurely than controls, particularly at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. The highest odds ratios for preterm birth were found for intestinal


atresia, anencephaly, gastroschisis and esophageal atresia. Infants with BDs were also significantly more likely to be SGA than controls (17.2 and 7.8%).


Infants with BDs are more likely than controls to be born prematurely and SGA. Findings from this study present additional evidence demonstrating a complex interaction between the


development of BDs, prematurity and intrauterine growth.


We thank the generous participation of the numerous families who made this research study possible. This research was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


(5U01DD000491) and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.


Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website


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