Gram Research analysis shows that babies born with myelomeningocele have heart disease about 7.2% of the time, significantly higher than the general population. According to research reviewed by Gram, mothers who are overweight, have diabetes, or have a history of miscarriage are 2-3 times more likely to have babies with both conditions. These findings support routine heart screening for all infants with spinal birth defects.
Babies born with myelomeningocele (a serious spinal birth defect) sometimes have heart problems too. Researchers in Ethiopia studied 265 babies with this condition and found that about 7 out of every 100 also had congenital heart disease. The study identified important risk factors in mothers—including being overweight, having diabetes, or a history of miscarriage—that made heart problems more likely in their babies. These findings suggest doctors should routinely check the hearts of babies born with spinal defects and pay special attention to mothers with these risk factors.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 265 infants with myelomeningocele found that 7.2% also had congenital heart disease, compared to approximately 1% in the general population.
According to research reviewed by Gram in 2026, maternal obesity increased the risk of congenital heart disease in infants with myelomeningocele by 2.93 times compared to mothers with normal weight.
A 2026 hospital-based study found that maternal diabetes mellitus increased the likelihood of heart disease in babies with spinal birth defects by 2.22 times.
Research from 2026 showed that infants with myelomeningocele who had additional birth defects were 2.94 times more likely to also have congenital heart disease.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How often babies born with myelomeningocele (a birth defect affecting the spine and spinal cord) also have heart problems, and what factors in the mother’s health might increase this risk.
- Who participated: 265 babies born with myelomeningocele between 2018 and 2024 at a hospital in Ethiopia who had heart ultrasounds performed.
- Key finding: About 7.2% of babies with spinal birth defects also had heart disease. Babies were more likely to have heart problems if their mothers were overweight, had diabetes, had a history of miscarriage, or if the baby had other birth defects besides the spinal problem.
- What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy and have risk factors like diabetes or being overweight, talk to your doctor about extra monitoring. If your baby is born with a spinal birth defect, heart screening should be part of routine care. This research is from a developing country setting and may not apply equally to all populations.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of babies at one point in time rather than following them over years. They reviewed medical records of 265 babies born with myelomeningocele (a condition where the spinal cord doesn’t fully develop) between January 2018 and January 2024 at Hawassa University Comprehensive Hospital in Ethiopia. All babies included in the study had undergone echocardiography, which is an ultrasound of the heart that shows how well it’s working.
Researchers collected information about each baby’s heart condition and their mother’s health history, including whether the mother was overweight, had diabetes, had a history of miscarriage, or had other health problems. They then used statistical analysis to identify which maternal factors were most strongly connected to babies having heart disease.
This research approach is important because it provides real-world evidence from a hospital setting in a developing country, where data on this topic is limited. By examining actual patient records rather than relying on laboratory studies, researchers can identify patterns that matter in clinical practice. Understanding which mothers are at higher risk helps doctors provide better screening and care.
This study has several strengths: it included a reasonable sample size of 265 babies, all participants had proper heart evaluation through echocardiography (not just clinical guessing), and it was conducted in a real hospital setting. However, the study was limited to one hospital in Ethiopia, so results may not apply equally to other countries or populations. The study design (cross-sectional) shows associations but cannot prove that maternal factors directly cause heart problems—only that they occur together more often.
What the Results Show
Among the 265 babies with myelomeningocele studied, 19 babies (7.2%) had congenital heart disease. This rate is notably higher than the general population, where heart defects occur in about 1% of births, suggesting a real connection between spinal birth defects and heart problems.
The research identified four specific maternal and infant factors strongly associated with heart disease in these babies. Mothers with a history of miscarriage were 2.5 times more likely to have a baby with both conditions. Mothers who were overweight or obese had nearly 3 times the risk. Mothers with diabetes had 2.2 times the risk. Additionally, babies who had other birth defects beyond the spinal problem were nearly 3 times more likely to also have heart disease.
These associations remained significant even after accounting for other variables, meaning they represent genuine risk factors rather than coincidental findings. The strength of these associations (measured by odds ratios ranging from 2.2 to 2.9) suggests these are meaningful clinical relationships worth monitoring.
The study didn’t report detailed breakdowns of specific types of heart defects found, but the findings suggest that routine cardiac screening should be standard practice for all infants with myelomeningocele. The presence of multiple birth defects in the same baby appears to increase the likelihood of heart involvement, suggesting these conditions may share common developmental origins.
Previous research has suggested that myelomeningocele and heart disease may occur together more often than by chance, likely because both involve problems with neural crest cells during early fetal development. This study provides the first detailed evidence from a developing country setting, confirming that the association exists in diverse populations. The identified maternal risk factors (diabetes, obesity, miscarriage history) align with what’s known about birth defect risk factors generally, supporting the biological plausibility of these findings.
This study was conducted at a single hospital in Ethiopia, so results may not apply equally to other countries or healthcare settings. The study only included babies who had heart ultrasounds, which might have missed some cases or included babies with more obvious symptoms. Because this is a cross-sectional study (a snapshot in time), it shows that factors are associated but cannot prove that maternal conditions directly cause heart problems. The study didn’t examine all possible risk factors, so other important factors may exist. Finally, the relatively small number of babies with heart disease (19 out of 265) means some findings should be interpreted cautiously.
The Bottom Line
Strong evidence supports routine heart screening (echocardiography) for all infants born with myelomeningocele. Moderate evidence suggests that pregnant people with diabetes, obesity, or a history of miscarriage should receive counseling about increased risks and may benefit from closer monitoring. Women planning pregnancy should discuss weight management and diabetes control with their healthcare providers.
This research is most relevant to: pregnant people with diabetes or obesity, those with a history of miscarriage, parents of babies with myelomeningocele, pediatric cardiologists, and obstetricians. It’s less directly applicable to people without these risk factors, though the general principle of screening babies with spinal defects for heart problems applies broadly.
Heart defects are present from birth, so screening should happen in the first weeks of life. Benefits of early detection include better medical management and surgical planning. Maternal risk factor modification (weight loss, diabetes control) should ideally happen before pregnancy, though benefits can still occur during pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the connection between spinal birth defects and heart problems in babies?
Both conditions involve problems with neural crest cells during early fetal development. A 2026 study found that 7.2% of babies with myelomeningocele also have heart disease, much higher than the 1% rate in the general population, suggesting a shared developmental origin.
Should all babies born with myelomeningocele get heart screening?
Yes. Research from 2026 strongly supports routine echocardiography (heart ultrasound) for all infants with myelomeningocele to detect heart problems early. This allows doctors to plan better treatment and management from birth.
What maternal factors increase the risk of heart disease in babies with spinal defects?
A 2026 study identified four key factors: maternal obesity (2.93 times increased risk), diabetes (2.22 times), history of miscarriage (2.51 times), and maternal overweight status. Managing these conditions before and during pregnancy may help reduce risk.
Can heart problems in babies with myelomeningocele be prevented?
While prevention isn’t guaranteed, managing maternal risk factors like weight, blood sugar, and overall health before pregnancy may reduce risk. Early detection through screening allows for prompt treatment and better outcomes.
How common is it for babies with myelomeningocele to have heart disease?
According to a 2026 study of 265 infants, approximately 1 in 14 babies with myelomeningocele (7.2%) also have heart disease, making it relatively common in this population and warranting routine screening.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If pregnant or planning pregnancy: track weight, blood sugar levels (if diabetic), and prenatal appointments. If caring for a baby with myelomeningocele: log dates of cardiac evaluations, echocardiogram results, and any heart-related symptoms or follow-up appointments.
- Pregnant users with diabetes should prioritize blood sugar management and log daily readings. Users with overweight/obesity can set gradual weight loss goals and track progress. All users should schedule and complete recommended cardiac screening appointments for babies with spinal defects and set reminders for follow-up care.
- For pregnant users: monthly weight checks and regular prenatal visit tracking. For parents of affected babies: maintain a record of all cardiac evaluations, test results, and specialist recommendations. Set calendar reminders for follow-up appointments and monitor for any new symptoms between scheduled visits.
This research describes associations between maternal health factors and heart disease in babies with spinal birth defects, but does not establish direct causation. These findings are from a single hospital in Ethiopia and may not apply equally to all populations. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Pregnant people and parents of affected infants should consult with their healthcare providers about screening, monitoring, and management. If you have concerns about pregnancy health or your baby’s heart, contact your doctor or pediatric cardiologist immediately.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.