An ongoing cohort study of Shelby County mothers1 suggests that eight percent of pregnant mothers may regularly experience high levels of prenatal stress, placing their babies, and their early cognitive development at risk.
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital anomalies in the United States, second only in frequency to congenital heart defects. Efforts to reduce the prevalence of these devastating abnormalities demonstrates the effectiveness of the translation of basic science and population research to health care practices, and from practice to public policy.
Birth defects were responsible for 1 in 5 infant deaths in Tennessee in 2004. Memphis already leads the nation in infant mortality, making it imperative that we emphasize proper prenatal care. Women should eat at least 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid every day.
Premature delivery — birth before 37 full weeks of gestation — is the leading cause of death among infants in the U.S. Babies who survive a preterm birth remain vulnerable to a host of health complications. The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk.
