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DHHS DPH SCHS Statistics and Reports By Topic Birth Defects Select Published Studies

SCHS: Birth Defects: Select Published Studies

The North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program (NCBDMP) actively collaborates with other public health partners and organizations to produce high quality surveillance reports and research that informs local, state and national birth defect prevention efforts. A selection of published studies and reports that the NCBDMP have contributed to are listed below.

Published Studies

  • Cragan JD, Cho S, Forestieri N, Hort M, Nestoridi E, Moore CA, Stallings E, Gray EB, Reefhuis J. Observed prevalence of congenital situs inversus in the United States Before and During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic, 2017-2022. Birth Defects Research. 2024;116:e2424.
  • Forestieri NE, Olshan AF, Oster ME, Ailes EC, Fundora MP, Fisher SC, Shumate C, Romitti PA, Liberman RF, Nembhard WN, Carmichael SL, Desrosiers TA. Survival of children with critical congenital heart defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Birth Defects Research. 2024;116:e2394.
  • Bascom JT, Stephens SB, Lupo PJ, Canfield M, Kirby RS, Nestoridi E, Salemi JL, Mai CT, Nembhard WN, Forestieri N, Romitti PA, St. Louis A, Agopian AJ. Scientific Impact of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network Multistate Collaborative Publications. Birth Defects Research. 2024;116:e2225.
  • Martin-Giacalone BA, Lin AE, Rasmussen SA, Kirby RS, Nestoridi E, Liberman RF, Agopian AJ, Carey JC, Cragan JD, Forestieri N, Leedom V, Boyce A, Nembhard WN, Piccardi M, Sandidge T, Shan X, Shumate CJ, Stallings EB, Stevenson R, Lupo PJ. Prevalence and descriptive epidemiology of Turner Syndrome in the United States, 2000-2017: A report from the National Birth Defects Prevention Network. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 2023;191:1339-1349.
  • Bergman K, Forestieri NE, Di Bona VL, Grosse SD, Moore CA. Medicaid healthcare expenditures for infants with birth defects potentially related to Zika virus infection in North Carolina, 2011-2016. Birth Defects Research. 2022;114:80-89.
  • Serfas JD, Spates T, D'Ottavio A, Spears T, Ciociola E, Chiswell K, Davidson-Ray L, Ryan G, Forestieri N, Krasuski RA, Kemper AR, Hoffman TM, Walsh MJ, Sang CJ, Welke KF, Li JS. Disparities in loss to follow-up among adults with congenital heart disease in North Carolina. World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. 2022;13:707-715.
  • Luke B, Brown MB, Wantman E, Schymura MJ, Browne ML, Fisher SC, Forestieri NE, Rao C, Nichols HB, Yazdy MM, Gershman ST, Sacha CR, Williams M, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Doody KJ, Eisenberg ML, Baker VL, Williams C, Sutcliffe A, Richard MA, Lupo PJ. The risks of birth defects and childhood cancer with conception by assisted reproductive technology. Human Reproduction. 2022; 37:2672-2689.
  • Watkins S, Kemper AR, D'Ottavio A, Hoffman TM, Hartman RJ, Sang CJ, Sarno L, Paolillo J, Welke KF, Walsh MJ, Forestieri N, Li JS. Third-grade academic performance and episodes of cardiac care among children with congenital heart defects. Pediatric Cardiology. 2022; 44:472-478.
  • Delaney A, Olson SM, Roth NM, Cragan JD, Godfred-Cato S, Smoots AN, Fornoff J, Nestoridi E, Eckert V, Forkner A, Stolz A, Crawford K, Cho SJ, Elmore A, Langlois P, Nance A, Denson L, Forestieri N, Leedom VO, Tran T, Valencia-Prado M, Romitti P, Barton JE, St. John K, Mann S, Orantes L, DeWilde L, Tong VT, Gilboa SM, Moore CA, Honein MA. Prevalence of individual brain and eye defects potentially related to Zika virus in pregnancy in 22 U.S. states and territories, January 2016 to June 2017. Birth Defects Research. 2022; 114(14):805-811.
  • Williams JL, Torok RD, D'Ottavio A, Spears T, Chiswell K, Forestieri NE, Sang CJ, Paolillo JA, Walsh MJ, Hoffman TM, Kemper AR, Li JS. Causes of death in infants and children with congenital heart disease. Pediatric Cardiology. 2021; 42:1308-1315.
  • Luke B, Brown MB, Wantman E, Forestieri NE, Browne ML, Fisher SC, Yazdy MM, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Watkins S, Nichols HB, Farland LV, Oehninger S, Doody KJ, Eisenberg ML, Baker VL. The risk of birth defects with conception by ART. Human Reproduction. 2021; 36(1):116-129.
  • Luke B, Brown MB, Nichols HB, Schymura MJ, Browne ML, Fisher SC, Forestieri NE, Rao C, Yazdy MM, Gershman ST, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Williams M, Wantman E, Oehninger S, Doody KJ, Eisenberg ML, Baker VL, Lupo PJ. (2020). Assessment of birth defects and cancer risk in children conceived via in vitro fertilization in the US. JAMA Network Open. 2020; 3(10):e2022927.
  • Reefhuis J, FitzHarris LF, Mahle Gray K, Nesheim S, Tinker SC, Isenburg J, Laffoon BT, Lowry J, Poschman K, Cragan JD, Stephens FK, Fornoff JE, Ward CA, Tran T, Hoover AE, Nestoridi E, Kersanke L, Piccardi M, Boyer M, Knapp MM, Ibrahim AR, Browne ML, Anderson BJ, Shah D, Forestieri NE, Maxwell J, Hauser KW, Obiri GU, Blumenfeld R, Higgins D, Espinet CP, López B, Zielke K, Jackson LP, Shumate C, Russell K, Lampe MA. Neural tube defects in pregnancies among women with diagnosed HIV infection - 15 jurisdictions, 2013-2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020; 69(1):1-5.
  • Forestieri NE, Van Buren E, Simpson BD, Meyer RE. Predictors of referral to the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program among infants with birth defects and infants born extremely preterm or low birthweight. Birth Defects Research. 2019; 111(18):1408-1419.
  • Lupo PJ, Schraw JM, Desrosiers TA, Nembhard WN, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Copeland G, Meyer RE, Brown AL, Chambers TM, Sok P, Danysh HE, Carozza SE, Sisoudiya SD, Hilsenbeck SG, Janitz AE, Oster ME, Scheurle AE, Schiffman JD, Luo C, Mian A, Mueller BA, Huff CD, Rasmussen SA, Scheurer ME, Plon SE. Association between birth defects and cancer risk among children and adolescents in a population-based assessment of 10 million live births. JAMA Oncology. 2019; 5(8):1150-1158.
  • Short TD, Stallings EB, Isenburg J, O'Leary LA, Yazdy MM, Bohm MK, Ethen M, Chen X, Tran T, Fox DJ, Fornoff J, Forestieri N, Ferrell E, Ramirez GM, Kim J, Shi J, Cho SJ, Duckett K, Nelson N, Zielke K, St. John K, Martin B, Clark C, Huynh M, Benusa C, Reefhuis J. Gastroschisis trends and ecologic link to opioid prescription rates – United States, 2006-2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2019; 68(2):31-36.
  • Pace ND, Oster ME, Forestieri NE, Enright D, Knight J, Meyer RE. Sociodemographic factors and survival of infants with congenital heart defects. Pediatrics. 2018; 142(3):e20180302
  • Watkins SE, Meyer RE, Aylsworth AS, Marcus JR, Allori AC, Pimenta L, Lipinski RJ, Strauss RP. Academic achievement among children with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts: a population based study. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 2018; 55(1):12-20.
  • Jernigan EG, Strassle PD, Stebbins R, Meyer RE, Nelson JS. Effect of concomitant birth defects and genetic anomalies on infant mortality in tetralogy of Fallot. Birth Defects Research. 2017; 109(14):1154-1165.
  • Cragan JD, Mai CT, Peterson EE, Liberman RF, Forestieri NE, Stevens AC, Delaney A, Dawson AL, Ellington SR, Shapiro-Mendoza CK, Dunn JE, Higgins CA, Meyer RE, Williams T, Polen KND, Newsome K, Reynolds M, Isenburg J, Gilboa SM, Meaney-Delman DM, Moore CA, Boyle CA, Honein MA. Baseline prevalence of birth defects associated with congenital Zika virus infection – Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, 2013-2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2017; 66(8):219-222.
  • Meyer RE, Liu G, Gilboa SM, Ethen MK, Aylsworth AS, Powell CM, Flood TJ, Mai CT, Wang Y, Canfield MA. Survival of children with trisomy 13 and trisomy 18: a multi-state population-based study. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2016; 170:825-837.
  • Cragan JD, Isenburg J, Parker SE, Alverson CJ, Meyer RE, Stallings EB, Kirby RS, Lupo PJ, Liu JS, Seagroves A, Ethen MK, Cho SJ, Evans M, Liberman RF, Fornoff J, Browne ML, Rutkowski RE, Nance AE, Anderka M, Fox DJ, Steele A, Copeland G, Romitti PA, Mai CT. Population-based microcephaly surveillance in the United States, 2009 to 2013: an analysis of potential sources of variation. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2016; 106:972-982.
  • Wang Y, Liu G, Canfield MA, Mai CT, Gilboa SM, Meyer RE, Anderka M, Copeland GE, Kucik JE, Nembhard WN, Kirby RS, National Birth Defects Prevention Network. Racial/ethnic differences in survival of United States children with birth defects: a population-based study. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2015; 166:819-826.e2.
  • Knight J, Cassell CH, Meyer RE, Strauss RP. Academic outcomes of children with isolated orofacial clefts compared with children without a major birth defect. Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal. 2015; 52:259-268.
  • Canfield MA, Mai CT, Wang Y, O'Halloran A, Marengo LK, Olney RS, Borger CL, Rutkowski R, Fornoff J, Irwin N, Copeland G, Flood TJ, Meyer RE, Rickard R, Alverson CJ, Sweatlock J, Kirby RS. The association between race/ethnicity and major birth defects in the United States, 1999-2007. American Journal of Public Health. 2014; 104(9):e14-e23.
  • Mai CT, Cassell CH, Meyer RE, Isenburg J, Canfield MA, Rickard R, Olney RS, Stallings EB, Beck M, Hashmi SS, Cho SJ, Kirby RS. Birth defects data from population-based surveillance programs in the United States, 2007 to 2011: highlighting orofacial clefts. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2014; 100:895-904.
  • Vinikoor-Imler LC, Davis JA, Meyer RE, Luben TJ. Early prenatal exposure to air pollution and its associations with birth defects in a state-wide birth cohort from North Carolina. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2013; 97:696-701.
  • Cassell CH, Krohmer A, Mendez D, Lee KA, Strauss RP, Meyer RE. Factors associated with distance and time traveled to cleft and craniofacial care. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2013; 97:685-695.
  • Kirby RS, Marshall J, Tanner JP, Salemi JL, Feldkamp ML, Marengo L, Meyer RE, Druschel CM, Rickard R, Kucik J. Prevalence and Correlates of Gastroschisis in 15 States: 1995-2005. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2013; 122(2):275-281.
  • Meyer RE, Kemper AR. Critical congenital heart defects in North Carolina. North Carolina Medical Journal. 2012; 73:504-508.
  • Desrosiers TA, Lawson CC, Meyer RE, Richardson DB, Daniels JL, Waters MA, van Wijngaarden E, Langlois PH, Romitti PA, Correa A, Olshan AF. Maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents during early pregnancy and risks of neural tube defects and orofacial clefts. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2012; 69:493-499.
  • Cassell CH, Grosse SD, Thorpe PG, Howell EE, Meyer RE. Health care expenditures among children with and those without spina bifida enrolled in Medicaid in North Carolina. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2011; 91:1019-1027.
  • Root ED, Meyer RE, Emch M. Socioeconomic context and gastroschisis: exploring associations at various geographic scales. Social Science and Medicine. 2011; 72(4): 625-633.
  • Parker SE, Mai CT, Canfield MA, Rickard R, Wang Y, Meyer RE, Anderson P, Mason CA, Collins JS, Kirby RS, Correa A. Updated national prevalence estimates for selected birth defects in the United States, 2004-2006. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2010; 88:1008-1016.
  • Feldkamp ML, Meyer RE, Krikov S, Botto LD. Acetaminophen use in pregnancy and the risk for selected birth defects: findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010; 115:109-115.
  • Morgan LM, Major JL, Meyer RE, Mullinex A. Multivitamin use among non-pregnant females of child-bearing age in the Western North Carolina Multivitamin Distribution Program. North Carolina Medical Journal. 2009; 70(5):386-390.
  • Parker SE, Mai CT, Strickland MJ, Olney RS, Rickard R, Marengo L, Wang Y, Hashmi S, Meyer RE. Multistate study of the epidemiology of clubfoot. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2009; 85:897-904.
  • Root ED, Meyer RE, Emch ME. Evidence of localized clustering of gastroschisis births in North Carolina, 1999-2004. Social Science and Medicine. 2009; 68(8):1361-1367.
  • Cassell CH, Daniels J, Meyer RE. Timeliness of cleft surgery among children with orofacial clefts in North Carolina, 1995-2002. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 2009; 46(6):588-97.
  • Honein MA, Kirby RS, Meyer RE, Xing J, Skerrette NI, Yuskiv N, Marengo L, Petrini JR, Davidoff MJ, Mai CT, Druschel CM, Viner-Brown S, Sever LE. The association between major birth defects and preterm birth. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2009; 13(2):164-75.
  • Cassell CH, Meyer RE, Daniels J. Health care expenditures among Medicaid enrolled children with and without orofacial clefts in North Carolina, 1995-2002. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2008; 82:785-794.
  • Boulet SL, Yang Q, Mai C, Kirby RS, Collins JS, Robbins JM, Meyer RE, Canfield MA, Mulinare J. Trends in the post-fortification prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly in the United States. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2008; 82:527-532.
  • Dickinson KC, Meyer RE, Kotch J. Maternal smoking and the risk for club foot in infants. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2008; 82:86-91.
  • Cassell CH, Meyer RE, Farel AM. Predictors of referral to the North Carolina Child Service Coordination Program among infants with orofacial clefts. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 2007; 44:45-51.
  • Mai CT, Law DJ, Mason CA, McDowell BD, Meyer RE, Musa D. Collection, use, and protection of population-based birth defects surveillance data in the United States. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. 2007; 79:811-814.
  • Meyer RE, Brown AB. Folic acid and birth defects prevention: a public health success story. North Carolina Medical Journal. 2004; 65:157-158.
  • Laughon M, Meyer RE, Bose C, Wall A, Otero E, Heerens A, Clark R. Rising birth prevalence of gastroschisis. Journal of Perinatology. 2003; 23:291-293.
  • Farel AM, Meyer RE, Hicken M, Edmonds LD. Registry to referral: a promising means for identifying and referring infants and toddlers for early intervention services. Journal of Infants and Young Children. 2003; 16:99-105.
  • Meyer RE, Siega-Riz AM. Sociodemographic patterns in spina bifida birth prevalence trends - North Carolina -1995-1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2002; 51:12-15.
  • Meyer RE, Wall A, Morgan AJ, Devine JE, Powers KE. Knowledge and use of folic acid among North Carolina women. North Carolina Medical Journal. 2002; 63:18-22.

Last Modified: February 26, 2025