Thanks for expressing your queries at HealthCareMagic. Although racial and ethnic disparities are present with respect to birth defects, you need not worry. Since you are asking, let me mention that in the United States infants of non-Hispanic black or African-American mothers have been evidenced to have higher birth prevalence of birth defects like: * Tetralogy of Fallot * Lower limb reduction defects * Trisomy 18 At the same time, they have been evidenced to have lower birth prevalence of birth defects like: * Cleft palate * Cleft lip with or without cleft palate * Esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula * Gastroschisis * Down syndrome Overall, I would suggest you not to to worry about your ethnicity. Preterm birth rates have been shown to be higher in case of non-Hispanic black or African-Americans in the United States. The very strong effects of education, poverty and occupational status across the race-sex distributions adds premature mortality to the long list of health impacts previously reported. In summary I would say that although the measurements have been shown with respect to the race and ethnicity, probably they are attributable to their social and physical environment. I am sure that if you look at the specifics of your social and environmental factors rather than that of your entire race, it would be more reasonable. I hope that helps. Please revert back in case of further queries.