title: Next steps for birth defects research and prevention: The birth defects study to evaluate pregnancy exposures (BD-STEPS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS) is a population-based, multi-Center case-control study of modifiable risk factors for selected birth defects in the United States. BD-STEPS is the second major research effort of the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, which extends and expands the initial research effort, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  BD-STEPS focuses on 17 categories of structural birth defects selected based on severity, prevalence, consistent ascertainment, and previous findings that warrant additional research. Cases are identified through existing birth defects surveillance programs; controls are from vital records or birth hospital logs from the same catchment area. BD-STEPS uses a standardized computer-assisted telephone interview to collect information from case and control mothers on topics including demographics, health conditions, and medication use. Following the maternal interview, selected Centers request permission to sample residual newborn screening blood spots from state repositories for genetic analyses. New components planned for BD-STEPS include linkages with external datasets and use of online questionnaires to collect in-depth information on selected exposures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BD-STEPS extends NBDPS by continuing to collect data on many exposures that were assessed in NBDPS, allowing data from both studies to be combined and providing an unprecedented sample size to analyze rare exposures. BD-STEPS expands upon NBDPS by collecting more detailed information on existing exposures as well as new exposures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The goal of BD-STEPS is to provide women and healthcare providers with information they need to make decisions to promote the healthiest pregnancy possible.
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Sarah C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tinker
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Suzan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.affiliation: Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anderka
authors.affiliation: Congenital Malformations Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.
authors.forename: Marilyn L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Caspers Conway
authors.affiliation: Birth Defects Monitoring Program, State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Division of Public Health, Raleigh, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Wendy N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Nembhard
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Olney
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Jennita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reefhuis
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: birth defects; case-control; congenital anomalies; epidemiology; pregnancy
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