BACKGROUND First discovered in 1947, Zika virus (ZIKV) received little attention until a
surge in microcephaly cases was reported after a 2015 outbreak in Brazil. The size of the …

Background. Birth defects remain a significant source of worldwide morbidity and mortality.
Strong scientific evidence shows that folic acid fortification of a region's food supply leads to …

OBJECTIVE: To determine an accurate estimate of the prevalence of congenital heart
defects (CHD) using current standard diagnostic modalities. STUDY DESIGN: We obtained …

Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidy using cell‐free DNA in maternal plasma
is revolutionizing prenatal screening and diagnosis. We review NIPT in the context of …

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common complex congenital malformations resulting from
failure of the neural tube closure during embryogenesis. It is established that folic acid …

Orofacial clefts are common birth defects that may impose a large burden on the health,
quality of life, and socioeconomic well‐being of affected individuals and families. They also …

To determine the proportion and birth prevalence of “typical” orofacial clefts (cleft lip (CL),
cleft palate (CP), cleft lip and palate (CLP)) and “atypical” clefts (median, transversal, or …

Neural tube closure takes place during early embryogenesis and requires interactions
between genetic and environmental factors. Failure of neural tube closure is a common …

BACKGROUND. Infants born preterm are at increased risk of adverse health and
developmental outcomes. Mortality and morbidity after preterm birth impose a burden on …

The chapter will begin with a review of environmental circumstances and behavioral trends
that prompt calls for school and community prevention and competence-enhancement …