Maternal physical activity, sitting, and risk of non-cardiac birth defects

CONCLUSIONS: Reasonable next steps include replication of these findings, improved exposure assessment, and elucidation of biologic mechanisms.IMPACT: Using data from two population-based case-control studies, we found that mothers engaging in different types of physical activity in the 3 months before pregnancy had an infant with a reduced odds of five and a higher odds of two birth defects. Mothers spending less time sitting in the 3 months before pregnancy had an infant with a reduced odds of two and a higher odds of one birth defect. Clarification and confirmation from additional studies are needed using more precise exposure measures, distinguishing occupational from leisure-time physical activity, and elucidation of mechanisms supporting these associations.PMID:37543708 | DOI:10.1038/s41390-023-02768-y

Source: Pediatric Research - August 5, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Kelly R Evenson Sanjida Mowla Andrew F Olshan Gary M Shaw Elizabeth C Ailes Jennita Reefhuis Neha Joshi Tania A Desrosiers National Birth Defects Prevention Study and Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS Source Type: research