Caffeine in Pregnancy
The March of Dimes recommends that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day (equal to about one 12-ounce cup of coffee a day). Some studies have found a link between caffeine and ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Food-borne Risks in Pregnancy
A few foods (including certain fish, some soft cheeses, ready-to-eat meats and raw sprouts) may pose risks during pregnancy. A pregnant woman should be aware of these risks, so she can choose the safest foods to nourish herself and her baby. What ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Reproductive Toxicology Center
Because many pregnant women who use illicit drugs also use alcohol and tobacco , which also pose risks to unborn babies, it often is difficult to determine which health problems are caused by a specific illicit drug. Additionally, illicit drugs ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection that usually causes no symptoms in infected children and adults. When a pregnant woman becomes infected with CMV, she can pass the virus on to her fetus. The consequences can be very ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Maternal Blood Screening for Birth Defects
Maternal blood screening tests identify pregnancies that are higher-than-average risk for certain serious birth defects, including Down syndrome, other chromosomal birth defects and neural tube defects (NTDs), which are defects of the brain and ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder of bone growth. Affected individuals have arms and legs that are very short, while the torso is nearly normal size. Generally, the head is large, the forehead is prominent and the nose is flat at the ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of conditions that affect movement, balance and posture. Affected children have abnormalities in one or more parts of the brain that affect the ability to control muscles. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Is ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
A cleft is a gap in a body structure that results from incomplete closing of a specific structure during development. Clefts that occur in the lip and palate (roof of the mouth) are called oral-facial clefts. There are two main types of ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Congenital Heart Defects
Heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. Heart defects include patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), septal defect, coarctation of the aorta, and heart valve abnormalities. What are ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder. Affected individuals have some degree of mental retardation, characteristic facial features and, often, heart defects and other health problems. Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that includes a ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
Marfan Syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. Connective tissue holds other tissues together throughout the body. Individuals with Marfan syndrome can have signs and symptoms involving the heart, blood vessels, bones and ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
PKU (Phenylketonuria)
PKU (phenylketonuria) is an inherited disorder that can cause mental retardation. With newborn screening, almost all affected newborns are diagnosed and treated early, and they grow up with normal intelligence. PKU (phenylketonuria) is an ... [... more]
March of Dimes |
