Birth Defects Research最新文献

{"title":"Teratogenic Effects of Serotonin Receptor 2B Disruption on the Migration and Cardiac Derivatives of the Cardiac Neural Crest","authors":"Brian K. Wells,&nbsp;Gwyneth K. Garramone,&nbsp;Amira Mahomed,&nbsp;Max Ezin","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2506","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cardiac neural crest cells (cNCCs) are critical for heart development, and their disruption can result in congenital heart defects. Serotonin (5-HT) signaling, specifically via 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptors, regulates diverse physiological processes, including neural crest migration. This study investigates how modulation of 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor activity impacts cNCC migration and the development of their derivatives, with relevance to serotonergic drug safety during pregnancy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Chicken embryos at HH8 were treated with 50 μL of 20 μM 1-Methylpsilocin (1-MP), an inverse agonist of 5-HT2B and agonist of 5-HT2C, and collected at HH14 to assess cNCC migration. Embryos were pre-treated with SB242084, a selective 5-HT2C antagonist, to isolate receptor-specific contributions before 1-MP application. Phenotypic outcomes were assessed at HH32 and HH36 for structural heart defects.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>1-MP disrupted cNCC migration at HH14, evidenced by abnormal shortening of the circumpharyngeal neural crest (CirNCC) stream. Pre-treatment with SB242084 did not rescue the phenotype, implicating 5-HT2B as the primary driver, though potential contributions from 5-HT2C cannot be excluded. At HH32, 1-MP-treated embryos displayed gaps in the aorticopulmonary septum. By HH36, interventricular septal defects and delayed development further supported the role of 5-HT2B in cNCC migration and differentiation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings reveal that 5-HT2B receptor activity is critical for cNCC migration and heart development. They underscore the potential teratogenic risks of serotonergic drugs targeting 5-HT2B/5-HT2C receptors during pregnancy, with implications for drug safety and heart morphogenesis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bdr2.2506","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144635137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Brain Weight Effect of Ambrisentan in Juvenile Rat Toxicity Studies Associated With Breathing Sounds, Apnea, and Sustained Hypoxemia","authors":"Susan B. Laffan,&nbsp;Kohrs Loren,&nbsp;Kambara Takahito,&nbsp;Turner Sandra","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2504","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ambrisentan is a selective endothelin-1 receptor antagonist marketed for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults, adolescents, and children above 8 years old.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A juvenile toxicity study conducted to support clinical studies in patients under 8 years old dosed rats from postnatal days 7 to 62. In subsequent investigative studies, respiratory function was assessed by ventilatory parameters and arterial blood gases, along with other endpoints.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Noisy breathing occurred, and brain weight was lower (4%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) without histologic changes at the highest dose (20 mg/kg/day). Respiratory sounds described as clicking noises seemingly synchronous with the breathing cycle were sustained. Hypoxemia and hypercapnia associated with apneic times occurred, suggesting an intermittent physical airway blockade.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>It's postulated that the brain weight decrease was mediated by sustained hypoxemia during a period of rapid brain growth. Improper interaction of rat laryngeal tissues, in close apposition during early postnatal stages, may constitute a sensitive period. Clinical relevance is unknown; palatal/laryngeal maturation timing in healthy children supports up to ~2 years as the period for any potential risk. However, for children with PAH, chronic hypoxemia and/or concomitant conditions associated with developmental delay could hypothetically extend the sensitive age period for potential risk through the third year of life.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144606511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to “How Does Maternal Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Impact Prenatal Testicular Development in Rats, and Could α-Tocopherol Provide a Protective Effect? A Histological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Study”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2502","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fareed, S. A., H. E.-S. Mostafa, Y. M. Saleh, Y. I. Magdi, and I. M. M. Ammar. 2025. “How Does Maternal Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Impact Prenatal Testicular Development in Rats, and Could α-Tocopherol Provide a Protective Effect? A Histological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Study.” <i>Birth Defects Research</i> 117: e2469. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2469.</p><p>In the originally published article, the following sentence in the Abstract is incorrect:</p><p>“Forty pregnant female rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control) included a negative control receiving normal saline and a positive control receiving 30 mg/kg of α-tocopherol intraperitoneally from the 3rd to 18th gestational day.”</p><p>The correct sentence is:</p><p>“Forty pregnant female rats were divided into three groups. Group I (control) was divided into two subgroups: Group Ia (negative control; receiving normal saline) and Group Ib (positive control; receiving 30 mg/kg of α-tocopherol intraperitoneally from the 3rd to 18th gestational day).”</p><p>In the Animals and Experimental Procedures section of the Materials and Methods section the following sentences are incorrect. They are presented below with the correct sentences.</p><p>Incorrect: “The pregnant rats were divided into four groups (10 pregnant rats for each) as follows…”</p><p>Correct: “The pregnant rats were divided into three groups as follows…”</p><p>Incorrect: “Group I (Control groups): Divided into two subgroups as follows (<i>n</i> = 5)…”</p><p>Correct: “Group I (Control groups): Divided into two subgroups as follows (<i>n</i> = 10 for each subgroup):”</p><p>“<i>Group II</i> (<i>LPS group</i>)” was omitted from the following sentence: “Group II (LPS group, <i>n</i> = 10 rats)…”</p><p>“Group III (α-T + LPS, protected group)” was omitted from the following sentence: “Group III (α-T + LPS, protected group, <i>n</i> = 10 rats)…”</p><p>We apologize for these errors.</p>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bdr2.2502","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144606561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microarray Application in Newborns With Multiple Congenital Anomalies: Genotype–Phenotype Correlation","authors":"Ramazan Keçeci,&nbsp;Hayriye Nermin Keçeci,&nbsp;Müşerref Başdemirci","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2509","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microarray is considered the first step in the diagnostic test in patients with multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). This technique can detect small copy number variations (CNVs) in DNA and help to understand the genetic causes in newborns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials &amp; Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The present study investigated a group of 63 newborns with MCA during the study period. Microarray analysis was performed on newborns with MCA after excluding those with examination results suggesting a recognizable numerical chromosome anomaly and a history of teratogenicity. The observed CNVs were examined in databases, pathogenicity evaluation was performed, and the variations were compared with the results reported in the patient database.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 11 of 50 patients (22%) included in the study had 13 CNVs. Variations in the literature were observed in nine of the previously described cases, while the other four CNVs were described for the first time. Among the detected CNVs, nine were pathogenic, one was likely pathogenic, and three were of uncertain clinical significance (VOUS). The variation in four patients was de novo, two were paternally inherited, and one was maternally inherited. All 11 patients with CNVs had congenital heart defects, 9 had craniofacial dysmorphism, 8 had extremity anomalies, 4 had hydronephrosis, 3 had cleft lip and/or palate, 2 had proximal hypospadias, and other rare congenital anomalies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microarray application in newborns with MCA is of great importance in terms of clinical guidance and genetic counseling. With the increase in relevant studies, the interpretation of previously unidentified CNVs with clinical results will contribute to patient management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144606562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to Food Fortification Ineffective in Preventing Neural Tube Defects in India due to Regulation Promoting Inadequate Levels of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2510","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Kancherla, V., P. Bhalla, S. K. Dutta, R. Mehta, R. M. Vora, and S. Karmarkar. 2025. “Food Fortification Ineffective in Preventing Neural Tube Defects in India due to Regulation Promoting Inadequate Levels of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12.” <i>Birth Defects Research</i> 117, no. 7: e2498. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2498.</p><p>In the originally published article, an incorrect unit of measurement was given in Section 1. The corrected unit is given below. This has been corrected in the online version of the article.</p><p>Incorrect</p><p>The 2020 RDA proposed for vitamin B12 ranges between 1.2 and 2.5 mg for non-pregnant women, children, and men (FSSAI 2021).</p><p>Correct</p><p>The 2020 RDA proposed for vitamin B12 ranges between 1.2 and 2.5 mcg for non-pregnant women, children, and men (FSSAI 2021).</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bdr2.2510","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144606556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional Annotation of De Novo Variants Found Near GWAS Loci Associated With Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate","authors":"Sarah W. Curtis,&nbsp;Laura E. Cook,&nbsp;Kitt Paraiso,&nbsp;Axel Visel,&nbsp;Justin L. Cotney,&nbsp;Jeffrey C. Murray,&nbsp;Terri H. Beaty,&nbsp;Mary L. Marazita,&nbsp;Jenna C. Carlson,&nbsp;Elizabeth J. Leslie-Clarkson","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2499","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2499","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the most common craniofacial birth defects, affecting 1 in 700 births, and have a strong genetic basis with a high recurrence risk within families.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While many of the previous studies have associated common, noncoding genetic loci with OFCs, previous studies on de novo variants (DNVs) in OFC cases have focused on coding variants that could have a functional impact on protein structure, and the contribution of noncoding DNVs to the formation of OFCs has largely been ignored and is not well understood.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We reanalyzed an existing dataset of DNVs from 1409 trios with OFCs that had undergone targeted sequencing of known OFC-associated loci. We then annotated these DNVs with information from datasets of predicted epigenetic function during human craniofacial development.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Of the 66 DNVs called in the targeted regions in this study, 17 (25.7%) were within a predicted enhancer or promoter region. Two DNVs fell within the same enhancer region (hs1617), which is more than expected by chance (<i>p</i> = 0.0017). The sequence changes caused by these hs1617 DNVs are predicted to create binding sites not seen in the reference sequence for transcription factors PAX6 and ZBTB7A and to disrupt binding sites for STAT1 and STAT3.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The hs1617 enhancer region is within the same topologically associated domain as <i>HHAT</i>, <i>SERTAD4</i>, and <i>IRF6</i>, all of which are involved in craniofacial development. All three genes are highly expressed in human neural crest cells. Knockout mice for <i>Hhat</i> and <i>Irf6</i> have abnormal embryonic development including a cleft palate, and variants in and around <i>IRF6</i> are associated with nonsyndromic and syndromic forms of OFCs in humans.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Taken together, this suggests that noncoding DNVs contribute to the genetic architecture of OFCs, with an excess of DNVs in OFC trios in enhancer regions near known OFC-associated genes. Overall, this adds to our understanding of the genetic mechanisms that underlie OFC formation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144581771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal Exposure to Methamphetamine and Its Association With Birth Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis","authors":"Nima Rastegar-Pouyani,&nbsp;Fatemeh Fakhari,&nbsp;Armineh Rezagholi Lalani,&nbsp;Emad Jafarzadeh,&nbsp;Reza Zafari,&nbsp;Nader Rahimi,&nbsp;Ahmad Habibian Sezavar,&nbsp;Seyed Nasser Ostad","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2488","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The growing prevalence of methamphetamine abuse has been regarded as a matter of great concern due to its damaging impact on public health worldwide. Our study aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis to evaluate the association between prenatal methamphetamine exposure, Preterm Birth (PTB) Low Birth Weight (LBW), and being Small for Gestational Age (SGA). Later on, we investigated the association between prenatal methamphetamine use and the aforementioned birth defects.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted a systematic search of English-language articles in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed from inception to December 24, 2021, identifying 1223 observational studies. After removing duplicates, 911 articles remained for title and abstract screening, of which 868 were excluded. Following a full-text review of 43 studies, 35 were excluded due to insufficient data, leaving eight studies for meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using Stata 15.0, with Odds Ratio (OR) (95% Confidence Intervals (CI)) as effect sizes. Subgroup analysis was performed by sample type (urine, meconium, and …), and heterogeneity was assessed using the Chi-square test (<i>I</i>² more than 50% was considered heterogenic), applying fixed- or random-effects models accordingly. Publication bias was evaluated via Egger's test and funnel plots, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess result robustness.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine was found to be associated with PTB (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.89–3.70), LBW (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.09–7.38), and SGA (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.04–1.99).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our meta-analysis shows a substantial association between prenatal exposure to methamphetamine and PTB, LBW, and being SGA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144574097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food Fortification Ineffective in Preventing Neural Tube Defects in India due to Regulation Promoting Inadequate Levels of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12","authors":"Vijaya Kancherla,&nbsp;Parveen Bhalla,&nbsp;Subrata Kumar Dutta,&nbsp;Rajesh Mehta,&nbsp;Ravindra M. Vora,&nbsp;Santosh Karmarkar","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2498","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2498","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is a high prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) and nutritional anemias that increase the risk of birth defects in India. The current staple food fortification regulations for folic acid and vitamin B12 are ineffective in the country. We provide an evidence-based viewpoint urging for WHO-recommended levels of fortificants (i.e., 1300 mcg of folic acid and 10 mcg of vitamin B12 per kilogram of wheat flour or rice) to be included in the regulation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Micronutrient fortified foods are being distributed through various governmental safety-net programs under the National Food Security Act in India. Packaged flour produced by some private companies is fortified.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Food fortification regulation, recommended in 2018 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, allows adding 75–125 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per kilogram (kg), and 0.75–1.25 mcg of vitamin B12 per kg, as fortificants in wheat flour or rice. These levels are 90% lower than what WHO recommends based on daily consumption of staple foods in India.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Re-setting fortification standards for folic acid and vitamin B12 to levels recommended by the WHO in India will avert thousands of NTD-associated pregnancies each year, as well as morbidity and mortality associated with them.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144503109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adverse Events After COVID-19 Vaccination Between Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women","authors":"Hinpetch Daungsupawong,&nbsp;Viroj Wiwanitkit","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2505","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144492761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the Readability, Credibility, and Accuracy of Online Vaccine Information for Pregnant and Lactating Individuals: A Cross-Platform Analysis","authors":"Ayhan Ceri","doi":"10.1002/bdr2.2500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2500","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pregnant and lactating individuals frequently rely on online sources for vaccine information. However, the readability, credibility, and accuracy of such content vary widely, potentially influencing vaccine hesitancy. This study evaluates the accessibility and reliability of online vaccine information across different digital platforms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on vaccine-related content published between 2018 and 2022. Data were collected from official health websites (e.g., WHO, CDC), social media (Twitter, Facebook), blogs, and parenting forums. Readability was assessed using the Flesch–Kincaid (FK) and SMOG indices, while credibility was evaluated using the DISCERN tool and HONcode certification. Accuracy was determined by comparing claims against scientific evidence from authoritative health organizations. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests, were performed to examine readability differences and misinformation prevalence across platforms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Official health websites had the highest readability complexity (average FK grade level: 11.8 ± 1.2), while social media content was the most accessible (average FK grade level: 7.8 ± 1.0). However, social media also exhibited the highest misinformation prevalence (38%), whereas official sources maintained near-perfect accuracy (98% compliance with scientific evidence). Blogs and forums demonstrated moderate readability (FK grade level: 9.5 ± 1.4 and 8.7 ± 1.1, respectively) but varied in credibility (DISCERN scores: 40–50/80). Thematic analysis revealed dominant misinformation trends, including fear-based narratives (52% of misinformation cases) and scientific distortions (29%). Accessibility barriers were also identified, with only 10% of sources providing multilingual content, and disparities in digital health resources were observed between high- and low-income regions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study highlights the trade-off between readability and credibility in online vaccine information. While official sources provide reliable content, their complexity may hinder comprehension. Addressing accessibility gaps through plain-language communication and misinformation mitigation strategies is crucial for improving digital health literacy and supporting informed maternal vaccine decision-making.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":9121,"journal":{"name":"Birth Defects Research","volume":"117 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144492762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}