How fever in early pregnancy causes heart, facial birth defects

(Duke University Medical Center) Researchers have known for decades that fevers in the first trimester of pregnancy increase risk for some heart defects and facial deformities such as cleft lip or palate. Exactly how this happens is unclear. Scientists have debated whether a virus or other infection source causes the defects, or if fever alone is the underlying problem.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news