Birth defects occur in families of all social and economic backgrounds—we've
found mothers of different education levels have similar overall
risks.
However, studying social and economic factors is often a
useful first step in uncovering origins of specific conditions.
These characteristics may serve as pointers to other clues
such as: race/ethnicity (genetic and cultural factors), typical
health behaviors (vitamin use) or proximity to environmental
conditions in the neighborhood (industrial emissions).
The California Birth Defects Monitoring Program has evaluated
lower socioeconomic status (SES) and neighborhood characteristics
for neural tube defects.
 |
The more indicators of low SES (such as
lower income, less education), the higher the risk for
neural tube defects. |
 |
|
Women with 4-5 indicators of low SES had
a 3 times higher risk. |
|
|
Residing in a low-SES neighborhood increased
risk as well. |
Research evaluating socioeconomic conditions and other birth
defects is in progress.
|
