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Welcome To OTIS!

OTIS, the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, is a non-profit organization made up of individual services (TIS) throughout North America.  We are dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information to patients and health care professionals about exposures during pregnancy and lactation. If you have questions about your risks please locate a service near you by clicking on the map above.

What's Happening at OTIS

Pregnany Women With Psoriasis May Be at Increased Risk for Pregnancy Complications

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Pregnant women with psoriasis may be at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to research just published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

OTIS Research Studies

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OTIS is now recruiting for the Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System. If you have received the H1N1 vaccine, seasonal flu vaccine, or taken an antiviral medication, and you are pregnant, you may be eligible to participate. The purpose of the Vaccine and Medications in Pregnancy and Surveillance System is to learn more about influenza vaccines and antiviral medication use in pregnancy.

Medical Expert of the Month

Faces Behind OTIS…

Medical Expert of the Month: Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones

Dr. Jones is the Chief of the Division of Dysmorphology/Teratology at the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. He is also a pioneer in the Teratology world. Dr. Jones was one of just two doctors who first identified Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in 1973. He is considered to be the father of FAS. His research has focused on the clinical delineation of birth defects, mechanisms of normal and abnormal morphogenesis and the recognition of new human teratogens. Dr. Jones established OTIS’ California affiliate, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, which is funded by the State of California. Its toll-free hotline has been serving California women since 1979.

Read more about Dr. Jones work throughout the world here.

News

CDPH Urges Pregnant Women to Get Vaccinated Against Whooping Cough; OTIS Offers Answers To Concerned Mothers

The California Department of Public Health announced recently it has expanded pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination recommendations to include several vulnerable groups of people, including women of childbearing age. The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit with affiliates across North America that aims to prevent birth defects, answers questions from pregnant women concerned the vaccine could impact their pregnancy.

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Oil Spill Sparks Pregnancy Concerns; OTIS Offers Facts

On April 20, 2010 an explosion caused an oil rig to leak large amounts of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This has raised concerns for pregnant women living near the spill. In general, residents are expected to have only low level exposures and minimal to no symptoms, and therefore should be reassured that their pregnancies are not likely to be at increased risk.

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OTIS Applauds Legislators For Birth Defect Prevention Act

The first step to create a public awareness program in an effort to prevent birth defects was introduced to Congress late last week. Experts say the bill would empower women to make healthier choices during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Stories Send Us Your Story

Birth Doula in California

I am a birth doula in Los Angeles, California. I regularly refer my clients to OTIS. Encouraging women to get their own access to evidence-based information is as rewarding as assisting them in birth.

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Trying to Conceive in Illinois

As a woman trying to get pregnant with my first child, your website was a valuable find - but it was the OTIS counselor I spoke with who did much more for me than just answer my call.

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A Resource for My Patients

I'm a general internist and get questions regarding medications in pregnancy all the time. Your website is a fabulously helpful resource.

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