Are birth defects among Hispanics related to maternal nativity or number of years lived in the United States?

Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2009 Sep;85(9):755-63. doi: 10.1002/bdra.20584.

Abstract

Background: Literature on the risk of birth defects among foreign- versus U.S.-born Hispanics is limited or inconsistent. We examined the association between country of birth, immigration patterns, and birth defects among Hispanic mothers.

Methods: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals and assessed the relationship between mothers' country of birth, years lived in the United States, and birth defects among 575 foreign-born compared to 539 U.S.-born Hispanic mothers.

Results: Hispanic mothers born in Mexico/Central America were more likely to deliver babies with spina bifida (OR = 1.53) than their U.S.-born counterparts. Also, mothers born in Mexico/Central America or who were recent United States immigrants (< or =5 years) were less likely to deliver babies with all atrial septal defects combined, all septal defects combined, or atrial septal defect, secundum type. However, Hispanic foreign-born mothers who lived in the United States for >5 years were more likely to deliver babies with all neural tube defects combined (OR = 1.42), spina bifida (OR = 1.89), and longitudinal limb defects (OR = 2.34). Foreign-born mothers, regardless of their number of years lived in the United States, were more likely to deliver babies with anotia or microtia.

Conclusions: Depending on the type of birth defect, foreign-born Hispanic mothers might be at higher or lower risk of delivering babies with the defects. The differences might reflect variations in predisposition, cultural norms, behavioral characteristics, and/or ascertainment of the birth defects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central America / ethnology
  • Congenital Abnormalities / ethnology*
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Female
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / ethnology
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Spinal Dysraphism / ethnology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult