Congenital Limb Reduction Defects in Infants: A Look at Possible Associationswith Maternal Smoking and Hypertension

摘要

Case control studies suggest an association between prenatal smoking and infantlimb defects possibly due to vascular disruption in the embryo. It has also been suggested that maternal hypertension may be associated with the occurrence of congenital limb defects, either due to the effects of the disease or possibly medications such as the calcium channel blockers used to treat this condition. Between 1987 and 1995, 1544 singleton infants with limb defects and reduction defects were identified. These cases were frequency matched by year of birth to 6176 children without congenital limb defects. Examination of specific types of malformation revealed that maternal smoking was associated with a greater than two-fold increased risk of transverse reduction limb defects. Chronic or gestational hypertension were not associated with increased risks of any specific defect. This finding related to smoking is consistent with previous studies, and emphasizes the continued need for public health interventions designed to reduce prenatal smoking.