Studies

For most birth defects the cause remains unknown. The only way to discover these unknown causes is to perform research. The following is information about the current research projects that the UBDN is involved in.

Utah - Quality of Life and Craniofacial Anomalies
For more information on this study please visit the study page at www.health.utah.gov/birthdefect/leftnav/QOL.html or contact Toni Fightmaster, Study Coordinator, at the Utah Department of Health, (801) 257-0566 ext. 217.

Utah Child and Family Health Study
The Birth Defect Network is currently collaborating with Utah State University to study maternal nutrition and risk of clefting and the genes related to metabolic pathways. This five-year grant, called “Nutrient Biomarkers, Genes, and Orofacial Clefts,” is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institute of Health. For more information please call Amy Nance, Project Coordinator at the Utah Department of Health, toll-free (866) 818-7096. You may also contact Dr. Ron Munger, Project Director at Utah State University, at (435) 797-2122.

Utah Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
The Utah Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention is one of the ten national participants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). NBDPS is one of the largest studies ever conducted on the causes of birth defects. It will provide information about environmental and genetic factors that contribute to birth defects. The goal of NBDPS is to increase our understanding of the causes of birth defects and provide information that can be used to prevent many birth defects. The Center is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, please call Amy Nance, Project Coordinator at the Utah Department of Health at 801-257-0566 ext 204 or toll-free (866)-871-1586. You may also contact Marcia Feldkamp, Principal Investigator at the Utah Department of Health at 801-257-0566 ext 203.

The National Birth Defects Research and Prevention website (NBDPS) http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/default.htm

Medical costs and quality of life of children with craniofacial anomalies and their families in Utah
The UBDN, in collaboration with the University of Utah, is conducting this study to analyze the medical costs and quality of life of children with craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft lip and cleft palate. The results of this study will increase understanding of the impact of craniofacial anomalies on medical cost and quality of life. The most current data available on this subject was published in 1992.