Birth Defects Associated with Maternal Obesity

As the degree of maternal obesity increases, so does the risk for congenital abnormalities, such as: neural tube defects, cardiovascular anomalies, cleft palate, and limb reduction abnormalities. The detection of such congenital anomalies via sonogram is decreased by 20% in obese women, which leads to a decrease in early diagnosis of these birth defects.  

The neural tube is what later develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord.  With neural tube defects, the neural tube doesn't close completely during development, which leads to conditions such as spina bifida (where the spinal cord pokes through the spine), ancephalopathy (where the baby is missing parts of the brain, skull, and scalp), encephalocele (where the sac surrounding the brain protrudes out of the skull).  Here is a great resource for more information about neural tube defects: 

More info on neural tube defects

   

Taking a multivitamin containing folic acid helps to prevent neural tube defects, which is why prenatal vitamins are so important in women who are trying to become pregnant or are not trying to prevent pregnancy.

A baby with spina bifida
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Cardiovascular anomalies are problems that occur as the heart and blood vessels develop.  This can include issues such as problems with the valves in the heart, structural problems between the different chambers of the heart, narrowing of the aorta (the major artery coming off of the heart), holes in the heart, etc.   Click here for more information about the many types of cardiovascular congenital defects

A cleft lip forms when the tissue that makes up the lip does not completely join together, leaving a space or opening that splits the lip and goes up into the nose.  A cleft palate occurs when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth does not join together, leaving a gap in the roof of the mouth.  These birth defects make the baby more prone to ear infections and speech impediments.  Click here for more information about orofacial congenital defects

A baby with cleft lip and palate
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Limb reduction anomalies occur when a baby's entire limb or part of the limb fails to develop in the womb.  This can occur in upper or lower limbs.  While the medical world insn't entirely sure what all causes limb reduction birth defects, they have been linked to certain medications, maternal obesity, smoking, and certain viruses or chemicals.  Click here for more information about limb reduction anomalies

A baby with left lower extremity limb reduction
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References

Ramsey, P., Schenken, R., Lockword, C., Pi-Sunyer, X., & Barss, V.  (2017). Obesity in 

            pregnancy:  Complications and maternal management, UpToDate.  Retrieved from

             https://www.uptodate.com/contents/obesity-in-pregnancy-complications-

            and-maternal-management

Squibb, L. (2014).  Pregancy, delivery, and childhood obesity.  International Journal of Childbirth Education, 29(2), 73-77.