View clinical trials related to Birth Defects.
Filter by:This study aims to transform the current clinical practice paradigm by leveraging an internally designed web-based model of delivery of care called Consultagene to provide remote evaluation and genomic sequencing for improving genetic health of less resourced children with rare disorders living along the Texas-Mexico border.
The China-Anhui Birth Cohort Study (C-ABCS) was set up to examine the delayed, cumulative and interactive effects of maternal environmental exposures on birth outcomes and children's development. The C-ABCS recruited pregnant women from six major cities of Anhui province, China, between November 2008 and October 2010. A range of data (including demographic, obstetric, occupational, nutritional and psychosocial factors) were collected by both interviews and laboratory tests. In each trimester, women's blood samples were drawn, and pregnancy complications were abstracted from physician's medical records. By the end of 2011, birth outcomes/birth defects were observed/identified by clinicians within 12 months after the delivery of 11 421 singleton live births of six cities and those outcomes among the remaining 2033 live births are still being observed. In addition, 4668 children from Ma'anshan city will be further followed up during the pre-school period till they reach adolescence to obtain the data on familial environmental exposures as well as children's physical, psychological, behavioural and sexual development. The interview data and information on laboratory examinations are available on request from archives in the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics.
Background: - Moebius syndrome limits the ability to make facial expressions like smile, frown or blink - and move the eyes laterally. It can also cause speech, swallowing or breathing difficulties and affect parts of the body, such as the limbs, jaw, muscles, or the heart. Some individuals with Moebius can have intellectual impairment or behavior problems. Researchers want to study the clinical features of individuals with Moebius or related disorders and explore the genetic and/or environmental causes of these conditions. Objective: - To learn more about the genetics and clinical characteristics of Moebius syndrome and other Congenital Facial Weakness disorders. Eligibility: - People ages 2 to 80 years with congenital facial weakness, isolated or combined with other congenital anomalies, and their family members. Design: - Participants with Moebius syndrome or other congenital facial weakness disorder will be evaluated at the NIH Clinical Research Center over 3 to 5 days and undergo the following procedures: - Medical and family history and physical examination, including body measurements and vital signs. - Blood or saliva will be collected for genetic tests and to evaluate liver, kidney, heart and hormonal functions. - Eye examination, including having a video taken of their eyes moving. - Hearing evaluation. - Speech and language assessment, including swallowing studies. - Dental exam. - Detailed neurological evaluation, including electromyogram/nerve conduction and blink reflex study. - Rehabilitation medicine evaluation, including muscle and tongue strength testing and assessment of balance. - Neurocognitive and behavioral testing and questionnaires to assess quality of life and copying mechanisms. - Imaging studies of their head, by magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging -MRI/DTI. Participants will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder that takes images of internal body structures using magnets. Child participants may be sedated. - Some adults may have additional X-rays of their head or limbs, if there are abnormal findings. - Medical photographs of the face and affected body parts may be taken. - Other specialized tests or consultations, as indicated. - Participants can choose to have a skin biopsy taken. - A follow-up visit will be offered to participants for review of genetic test findings and possibly additional clinical tests, as indicated. Family members of the patients will have a medical and family history and physical examination. Blood or saliva will be obtained for genetic studies.
Background: - Congenital malformations, sometimes called birth defects, occur because of a difference in early human development. There are many different types of congenital malformations, and some of these can be caused by changes in genetic material. Researchers are interested in studying individuals with these congenital malformations to better understand the causes and the effects of certain congenital malformations. Objectives: - To understand more about what causes congenital malformations that arise in early human development. - To learn if genetic causes can be found to explain why a person has a congenital malformation. Eligibility: - Individuals who have been diagnosed with a congenital malformation. Design: - Participants will be seen at the National Institutes of Health for a series of visits over 3 to 4 days. Participants will be asked to provide copies of past medical records and test results for review, and will be asked questions about pregnancy/prenatal history, birth, newborn, medical, developmental, and family history. - Parents or siblings of participants may also be asked to provide information for research purposes. - Participants may have additional medical evaluations as part of this study, including any of the following tests: - Physical examinations - Other consultations as clinically indicated - Blood samples for genetic testing - Tissue biopsy for genetic testing - Photographs of affected areas, such as front and side views of the face and other body parts that may be involved in a congenital malformation, like the hands and feet. - Other tests as indicated by a specific malformation, such as organ ultrasounds. - No additional invasive testing, testing requiring sedation, or testing involving radiation is planned for this protocol. These tests, if performed, would involve a separate consent....
This study will explore the medical problems in patients with VACTERL association and identify gene changes that might be responsible for them. VACTERL association can affect many parts of the body, including the bones of the spine, the heart, the lower intestinal tract, the connection between the trachea and esophagus, the kidneys and the arms. Information from this study may lead to a better understanding of the disease and improved treatment and genetic counseling. Patients with VACTERL association and their parents and siblings may be eligible for this study. Patients are admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for evaluation over 3 to 4 days that may include the following procedures: - Physical examination, medical history, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood and urine tests - Eye examination - Imaging studies (echocardiogram, x-rays and ultrasound tests) - Other specialized tests or consultations as indicated - Optional medical photographs of the face and other body parts that may be involved in VACTERL association for publication in scientific texts or for teaching purposes - Optional return visit after 2 years for repeat testing and to look for changes over time Parents of patients have the following procedures: - Physical examination, medical history, blood tests and x-rays, if needed - Specialty consultations as indicated - Optional medical photographs of the face and other body parts that may be involved in VACTERL association for publication in scientific texts or for teaching purposes - Questionnaires about their child s medical history, growth, behavior and development, therapy and medication Siblings of patients have the following procedures: - Physical examination, medical history and blood tests
This is a prospective, observational, exposure-registration and follow-up study of women and their offspring exposed to Keppra® (levetiracetam) and Keppra XR® at the time of conception (i.e., any time from the first day of the last menstrual period) and/or during pregnancy. The UCB AED Pregnancy Registry is designed to monitor pregnancies exposed to Keppra® and Keppra XR® in order to determine if there is a potential increase in the risk of major birth defects compared to rates from women in the general US population. The objectives of the UCB AED Pregnancy Registry are: - To prospectively collect data concerning 1) exposure to Keppra® and Keppra XR® during pregnancy, 2) potential confounding factors, 3) outcome of pregnancy, and 4) long-term pediatric outcome - To review reported cases of possible birth defects - To estimate the risk of birth defects occurring in live-born offspring of women exposed to Keppra® and Keppra XR® during pregnancy This study is being conducted in the United States (US). Enrollment in the Registry is voluntary. The UCB AED Pregnancy Registry is sponsored by UCB, Inc. and is managed by INC Research. The scientific conduct and analysis of the Registry is overseen by an Expert Panel consisting of external specialists in teratology/genetics, epidemiology, maternal and fetal medicine, and neurology (external member details available upon request).
This proposal describes a population-based case-control study of all Norwegian infants born with cleft lip or palate over a five-year period. The study will be jointly supported by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the Norwegian National Institute of Public Health (SIFF) and Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBR). Cases will be identified through the two surgery clinics that treat all clefts in Norway. Controls will be randomly selected from all live births through the MBR. Mothers will complete two selfadministered questionnaires; one regarding exposures before and during pregnancy, the other their diet during their early months of pregnancy. Biological specimens for DNA testing (blood samples, buccal swabs) will be collected from cases, controls and mothers in order to describe possible gene-environment interactions. With 750 cases and 1100 controls, this will be one of the largest and most complete field studies of facial clefting yet conducted.
This study will examine how the body metabolizes micronutrients, such vitamins, during pregnancy and how genetic make-up influences their metabolism. Vitamin B12 and folate levels in pregnancy have been linked to birth defects, such as neural tube defects, orofacial clefts, and congenital heart disease. Other micronutrient levels may be related to other birth defects or pregnancy complications. This study will characterize the patterns of micronutrient status during pregnancy and compare it with genetic variants and biochemical parameters. Information about the relationship between genes and vitamin metabolism may help doctors advise women about their nutritional requirements during pregnancy to protect their health and the health of their babies. This study is a collaboration between NIH and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Women of Irish origin 18 years of age or older who are receiving prenatal care at the Coombe Women's Hospital in Dublin may be enrolled. Fathers also may participate. Upon entering the study, female participants complete a questionnaire relating to their food and vitamin intake, alcohol consumption, smoking behavior, and use of medications, and provide a blood sample. Additional blood samples are collected during routine clinic visits at about 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, and again at delivery and from 6 weeks to 2 months after the baby's birth. Permission will be requested to obtain a blood sample from the umbilical cord at birth after it has been removed from the baby. Fathers of the babies are also asked to answer a short questionnaire and to provide a DNA sample for genetic studies. To collect the DNA, sterile cotton swabs are rubbed around the inside of the mouth to obtain cheek cells from which the DNA is extracted.
This is a prospective, observational, registration and follow-up study of women exposed to Betaseron® at the time of conception (i.e., any time from the first day of the last menstrual period) and/or during pregnancy. The Betaseron® Pregnancy Registry is designed to determine whether there is an increased risk or a pattern of birth defects in the offspring of women exposed to Betaseron® at conception and during pregnancy compared to rates from women in the general US population. Secondarily, the Registry will examine rates of spontaneous abortions and other negative pregnancy outcomes in this population. This study will be conducted in the United States (US). The Betaseron® Pregnancy Registry is sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and is managed by the Post Approval & Strategic Services group at INC Research, LLC. The scientific conduct and analysis of the Registry will be overseen by an Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (IDSMB) consisting of external specialists in teratology, epidemiology, maternal and fetal medicine, and neurology (external member details available upon request).
This project is designed to establish whether pesticides or other environmental agents have a role in the excess birth defects identified in the Red River Valley of Minnesota. In this human study, laboratory based health parameters will be used to key in health survey data. In vitro data will be developed to mechanistic information. Concordant results among these study features will provide a weight of evidence approach.