Analyses/Archiving of BDS (PHIS) Data
The Birth Defects Study (BDS) / Pregnancy Health Interview Study (PHIS) ceased data collection in November 2015, after 39 years of activity that involved approximately 52,000 mothers of infants with and without major birth defects. However, activities continue on this valuable resource, which represents the largest case-control study of risk factors for birth defects (primarily medications) ever conducted in North America. Current efforts are focused on four activities:
- The creation of an archive covering the 39 years of BDS data (approximately 52,000 interviews) that will increase the efficiency and reduce costs of future analyses by Slone researchers and their collaborators
- Risk factors for microcephaly in the pre-Zika era
- Assessment of risks/safety (with respect to specific birth defects) of antiviral medications used to treat or prevent influenza in pregnant women
- Assessment of the risks/safety (with respect to specific birth defects) of the Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women