Articles

* These CDC scientific articles are listed in order of date published, from present to 2004.

CDC Website Spotlight Articles

Asthma Medication Use and Birth Defects
Researchers used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) to examine maternal asthma medication use during pregnancy and the risk of certain birth defects.

 

Antiepileptic Medications
A special issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C included a new CDC study: “Influencing Clinical Practice Regarding the Use of Antiepileptic Medications During Pregnancy: Modeling the Potential Impact on the Prevalences of Spina Bifida and Cleft Palate in the United States.”

 

Medication Use During Pregnancy
Researchers have published a new study describing medication use during pregnancy in the United States during the period 1976–2008.

 

Opioid Analgesic Medications
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has published a new CDC study: “Maternal Treatment with Opioid Analgesics and Risk for Birth Defects.”

 

Clomiphene Citrate
The journal, Human Reproduction, has published a new CDC study: "Use of clomiphene citrate and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2005."

 

Medication Use During Pregnancy

Medication use during pregnancy, with particular focus on prescription drugs: 1976-2008
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Apr 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Mitchell AA, Gilboa SM, Werler MM, Kelley KE, Louik C, Hernández-Díaz S; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Use of Over-the-Counter Medications during Pregnancy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 2005; 193(3 Pt 1):771-7
Werler MM, Mitchell AA, Hernandez-Diaz S, Honein MA
[Read summary]

 

Antidepressants

Patterns of Antidepressant Medication Use Among Pregnant Women in a United States Population
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology; July, 2010.
Alwan S, Reefhuis J, Rasmussen SA, Friedman JM, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read article]

 

Maternal use of bupropion and risk for congenital heart defects
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; July, 2010; 203(1):52.e1-6.
Alwan S, Reefhuis J, Botto LD, Rasmussen SA, Correa A, Friedman JM, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
[Read summary]

 

Use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy and the risk of birth defects
New England Journal of Medicine; 2007; 356:2684-92.
Alwan S, Reefhuis J, Rasmussen SA, Olney RS, Friedman JM for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study 
[Read article]

 

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn [letter]
New England Journal of Medicine; 2006; 354:2188-2189.
Reefhuis J, Rasmussen SA, Friedman JM.
[Read letter]

 

Pain Medications

Maternal drug use and its effect on neonates: a population-based study in Washington state
Obstet Gynecol. 2012;119(5):924-933.
Creanga AA, Sabel JC, Ko JY, Wasserman CR, Shapiro-Mendoza CK, Taylor P, et al.
[Read Summary]

 

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use among women and the risk of birth defects
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012;206(3):228 e221-228.
Hernandez RK, Werler MM, Romitti P, Sun L, Anderka M, National Birth Defects Prevention S.
[Read Summary]

 

Maternal treatment with opioid analgesics and risk for birth defects
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011;204(4):314.e1-11.
Broussard CS, Rasmussen SA, Reefhuis J, Friedman JM, Jann MW, Riehle-Colarusso T, Honein MA; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy and risk for birth defects: findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Obstetrics and Gynecology; January 2010; 115(1):109-15.
Feldkamp ML, Meyer RE, Krikov S, Botto LD.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal use of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and muscular ventricular septal defects
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; 2004; 70:107-113.
Cleves MA, Savell Jr VH., Raj S, Zhao W, Correa A, Werler MM, Hobbs CA.
[Read summary]

 

Other Medications

Nitrosatable Drug Exposure During Early Pregnancy and Neural Tube Defects in Offspring
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2011; doi: 10.1093/aje/kwr254
Brender JD, Werler MM, Kelley KE, Vuong AM, Shinde MU, Zheng Q, Huber Jr JC, Sharkey JR, Griesenbeck JS, Romitti PA, Langlois PH, Suarez L, Canfield MA and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Prevalence and patterns of nitrosatable drug use among U.S. women during early pregnancy
Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2011 Apr;91(4):258-64.
Brender JD, Kelley KE, Werler MM, Langlois PH, Suarez L, Canfield MA; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Weight Loss and Herbal Products

Herbal use before and during pregnancy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; May 2010; 202(5):443.e1-6.
Broussard CS, Louik CA, Honein MA, Mitchell AA, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Periconceptional Use of Weight loss Products Including Ephedra and the Association with Birth Defects
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; 2008; 82(8): 553-62.
Bitsko R, Reefhuis J, Louik C, Werler MM, Feldkamp ML, Waller K, Frias J, Honein MA,and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. 
[Read summary]

 

Disease Treatment

Maternal asthma medication use and the risk of selected birth defects
Pediatrics. 2012;129(2):e317-324.
Lin S, Munsie JP, Herdt-Losavio ML, Druschel CM, Campbell K, Browne ML, et al.
[Read Summary]

 

Medications used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and the risk of selected birth defects
Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2012;94(1):22-30.
Anderka M, Mitchell AA, Louik C, Werler MM, Hernandez-Diaz S, Rasmussen SA, et al.
[Read Summary]

 

Use of Antiepileptic Medications in Pregnancy in Relation to Risks of Birth Defects
Ann Epidemiol. 2011;21(11):842-850.
Werler MM, Ahrens KA, Bosco JL, Mitchell AA, Anderka MT, Gilboa SM, Holmes LB; The National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Maternal bronchodilator use and the risk of orofacial clefts
Hum Reprod. 2011;26(11):3147-54.
Munsie JW, Lin S, Browne ML, Campbell KA, Caton AR, Bell EM, Rasmussen SA, Romitti PA, Druschel CM and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read Summary]

 

Influencing clinical practice regarding the use of antiepileptic medications during pregnancy: modeling the potential impact on the prevalences of spina bifida and cleft palate in the United States
Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2011;157(3):234-46
Gilboa SM, Broussard CS, Devine OJ, Duwe KN, Flak AL, Boulet SL, Moore CA, Werler MM, Honein MA.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal corticosteroid use and hypospadias
The Journal of Pediatrics; July 2009; 155(1):39-44.
Carmichael SL, Ma C, Werler MM, Olney RS, Shaw GM, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal asthma, asthma medication use, and the risk of congenital heart defects
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; February 2009; 85(2):161-8.
Lin S, Herdt-Losavio M, Gensburg L, Marshall E, Druschel C, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal thyroid disease, thyroid medication use and selected birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; 2009; 85(7):621-8.
Browne ML, Rasmussen SA, Hoyt AT, Waller DK, Druschel CM, Caton AR, Canfield MA, Lin AE, Carmichael SL, Romitti PA, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Antihypertensive medication use during pregnancy and the risk of cardiovascular malformations
Hypertension; 2009; 54: 63-70.
Caton, AR, Bell EM, Druschel CM, Werler MM, Lin AE, Browne ML, McNutt LA, Romitti PA, Mitchell AA, Olney RS, Correa A and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read article]

 

Reviewing the evidence for mycophenolate mofetil as a new teratogen:  Case report and review of the literature
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A; 2009; 149A:1241-1248.
Anderka MT, Lin AE, Abuelo DN, Mitchell AA, Rasmussen SA.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal Exposure to Statins and Risk for Birth Defects: A Case-Series Approach (research letter)
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A; October 15, 2008; 146A(20):2701-5.
Petersen EE, Mitchell AA, Carey JC, Werler MM, Louik C, Rasmussen SA, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read letter]

 

Maternal hypertension, antihypertensive medication use and the risk of severe hypospadias
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; 2008; 82:34-40.
Caton AR, Bell EM, Druschel CM, Werler MM, Mitchell AA, Browne ML, McNutt LA, Romitti PA, Olney RS, Correa A, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. 
[Read summary]

 

Maternal asthma medication use and the risk of gastroschisis
American Journal of Epidemiology; 2008; 168(1): 73-9.
Lin S, Munsie JP, Herdt-Losavio ML, Bell EM, Druschel C, Romitti PA, Olney RS, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read article]

 

Maternal corticosteroid use and orofacial clefts
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 2007; 197:585.e1-585.e7
Carmichael SL, Shaw GM, Ma C, Werler MM, Rasmussen SA, and Lammer EJ for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

 

Subfertility, Infertility, and Birth Control

Epidemiology of Fertility Treatment Use Among U.S. Women with Liveborn Infants, 1997–2004
Journal of Women’s Health; March 19, 2010; 19(3):407-16.
Duwe KN, Reefhuis J, Honein MA, Schieve LA, Rasmussen SA, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Use of oral contraceptives in pregnancy and major structural birth defects in offspring
Epidemiology; January 21, 2010; 21(2):232-39.
Waller DK, Lockwood GT, Gallaway MS, Canfield MA, Scheuerle A, Hernandez-Diaz S, Louik C, Correa A, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

The association between use of spermicides or male condoms and major structural birth defects
Contraception; 2009; 80(5): 422-9.
Gallaway MS, Waller DK, Canfield MA, Scheuerle A and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Maternal progestin intake and risk of hypospadias
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine; 2005; 159:957-962.
Carmichael SL, Shaw GM, Laurent C, Croughan MS, Olney RS, Lammer EJ.
[Read article]

 

Infections

Antibacterial medication use during pregnancy and risk of birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; 2009; 163(11): 978-85.
Crider KS, Cleves MA, Reefhuis J, Berry RJ, Hobbs CA, Hu DJ and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read article]

 

Antifungal drugs and the risk of selected birth defects
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 2008; 198( 2):191.e1-191.e7.
Carter TC, Druschel CM, Romitti PA, Olney R, Werler M, Mitchell A and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. 
[Read summary]

 

Maternal Febrile Illnesses, Medication Use, and the Risk of Congenital Renal Anomalies
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; 2003; 67(11):911-8
Abe K, Honein MA, Moore CA.
[Read summary]

 

Over-the-Counter

Use of Antihistamine Medications During Early Pregnancy and Isolated Major Malformations
Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology; February 2009; 85(2):137-50.
Gilboa SM, Strickland MJ, Olshan AF, Werler MW, Correa A, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
[Read summary]

 

Evaluation of an Association Between Loratadine and Hypospadias--United States, 1997-2001
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; 2004; 53(10):219-21
CDC
[Read article]

 

Physician Knowledge and Management

Obstetrician-gynaecologist knowledge of and access to information about the risks of medication use during pregnancy
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine; October 2010; 23(10):1143-50.
Morgan MA, Cragan JD, Goldenberg RL, Rasmussen SA, Schulkin J. (2010).
[Read article]

 

Management of prescription and non-prescription drug use during pregnancy 
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine; August 2010; 23(8):813-9.
Morgan MA, Cragan JD, Goldenberg RL, Rasmussen SA, Schulkin J.
[Read article]

 

Medication Use During Pregnancy and Lactation: An Urgent Call for Public Health Action
Journal of Women’s Health; March 2005; 14(2):104-109
Lagoy CT, Joshi N, Cragan JD, Rasmussen SA
[Read summary]

 

Maternal Behavior

Prescription Medication Borrowing and Sharing Among Women of Reproductive Age
Journal of Women’s Health (Larchmt); September 2008; 17(7), 1073-1080.
Petersen  EE, Rasmussen SA, Daniel KL, Yazdy MM & Honein MA.
[Read summary]

 

Can we ensure the safe use of known human teratogens?  The iPLEDGE test case.
Drug Safety; 2007; 30(1):5-15. 
Honein MA, Lindstrom J, Kweder S.
[Read summary]

 

Can we Ensure the Safe use of Known Human Teratogens? Introduction of Generic Isotretinoin in the US as an Example
Drug Safety; 2004; 27(14):1069-80.
Honein MA, Moore CA, Erickson JD.
[Read summary]

 

Guidelines and Recommendations

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 524: Opioid Abuse, Dependence, and Addiction in Pregnancy
Obstet Gynecol 2012 May; 119:1070-6.
[Read Summary]

 

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 494: Sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, and risk of birth defects
Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jun;117(6):1484-5.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice.
[Read Summary]

* The following guidelines and recommendations were drafted by scientists from CDC and other agencies.

Pregnant Women & Influenza (Flu)
[Read recommendation]

 

2010-2011 Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinician
[Read recommendation]

 

Managing Asthma During Pregnancy: Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment--Update 2004
These NIH recommendations, updated during 2004, provide guidance on pharmacological treatment for pregnant women with asthma.
[Read recommendation]

 

Updated Recommendations for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Among Asymptomatic Pregnant Women After Exposure to Bacillus anthracis
These recommendations, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, are used to provide guidance for physicians in choosing the best antibiotic for their patient.
[Read recommendation]

 

Smallpox Vaccination Information for Women Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
[Read guidelines]

 

U.S. Public Health Service Task Force Recommendations for Use--of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant HIV-1--Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions To Reduce Perinatal HIV-1 Transmission in the United States
[Read recommendation]

 

All Articles

Search a database of articles that have been published by CDC authors within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities from 1990 to present.