The window of opportunity to address risk factors for birth defects lies in pre-pregnancy care , according to a study based on responses from 5,374 women that published in August.

Research, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine , gathered survey responses between 2007 and 2020 from non-pregnant women between the ages of 12 and 49.

The 13-year study found that just over two-thirds of women have at least one of five modifiable risk factors that can lead to birth defects.

The five risk factors include reducing obesity, addressing food insecurity, limiting smoke exposure, controlling diabetes and increasing folate levels (also known as vitamin B9 that decreases the risk of defects like spina bifida ).

Dr. Jane Martin, who lives in New Orleans, is an OBGYN

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