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Past Cancer Battles May Increase Child Birth Defect Risks - Cord Blood

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Past Cancer Battles May Increase Child Birth Defect Risks

Pregnant woman talking to clinician

New research from UTHealth Houston points out that young adult and teenage mums who have previously battled cancer may have a higher likelihood of having children with birth defects. This study, guided by Caitlin C. Murphy, PhD, MPH, provides valuable insights that could help inform healthcare support for these women before and during pregnancy.

The research team looked into birth defect cases among 6,882 kids aged 12 months or less. All these children were born to women who were between 15 to 39 years old when they received their cancer diagnosis, across the years 1999 and 2015.

Common Cancer Types in the Study

The most frequently encountered cancers in the study were thyroid (28.9%), lymphoma (12.5%), and breast cancer (10.7%). Nearly a quarter (24%) of these women underwent chemotherapy.

It’s key to remember that birth defects are pretty uncommon. However, the study showed that kids born to moms with a past cancer history had a slightly higher risk (6.0%) than those born to moms without this history (4.8%).

Are there certain kinds of defects that appear more frequently? The research identified that if mothers had a cancer history, their children had a higher likelihood of certain types of birth defects. This includes defects related to the eyes or ears, the heart and circulation system, the genitourinary system, and the musculoskeletal system.

Putting Knowledge Into Practice

Murphy stresses the importance of providing expectant mums with the right information and support, so they can make the informed decisions about their pregnancy and prenatal care. Not to mention, catching birth defects early on means better opportunities for prevention and treatment.

Murphy also draws attention to the connected patterns between cancer and birth defects. As our knowledge about these links grows, so do our chances to prevent them both. So, while having a cancer history may pose some risks to your little one, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a normal, healthy pregnancy. You just need the right support and information to help you plan ahead.