Smoking during pregnancy and congenital limb deficiency

Abstract

Objective-To examine genetic and environmental factors in the origin of isolated congenital limb deficiencies.Design-Case-control study with questionnaire at a family interview of cases of isolated congenital limb deficiencies (six types), negative controls (matched for age, sex, and place of residence), and positive controls (cases ofsentinel anomalies).Setting- IntroductionMaternal smoking during pregnancy causes lower birth weight and higher rates of infant mortality and spontaneous abortion.12 The teratogenic effect of smoking during pregnancy, however, has not been proved unequivocally.We studied the possible genetic and environmental factors in the origin of isolated congenital limb deficiency (one or more limbs affected without other defects) in children in Hungary with a validated diagnosis. The data were gathered over 10 years and totalled 1 575 904 births.

The beliefs of mothers in southern Brazil regarding risk-factors associated with congenital abnormalities

“…The risk-factors for congenital abnormalities which were most commonly mentioned by the mothers surveyed by us were those associated with lifestyle, such as smoking tobacco and ingestion of alcohol or drugs. Despite the existence of studies linking smoking tobacco to congenital malformations (Ericson et al, 1979;Czeizel et al, 1994;Rooij et al, 2001), we know that this is probably the least important risk-factor compared to the others investigated in our survey. The large number of women who mentioned smoking as a risk-factor is probably due to advertising campaigns by the Brazilian Health Ministry warning about the risks to the baby's health of cigarette smoking.…”

Prevalence at birth of congenital abnormalities of external ears in Hungary

“…However, of 354 cases with a detailed analysis, 251 (70.9%) were affected with aural atresia/stenosis. A similar problem has been recognized in the diagnosis of different types of limb deficiencies in the HCAR [12]. Of 555 cases with isolated congenital limb deficiency, 210 (37.8%) were reported as phocomelia; however, the personal examination of these children confirmed phocomelia in only 2 cases.…”

Review on genetic variants and maternal smoking in the etiology of oral clefts and other birth defects

“…An increased risk of terminal transverse limb deficiency (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 0.98-2.23) was reported with maternal smoking using a case-control sample from a Hungarian birth registry (Czeizel et al, 1994). Maternal smoking had no significant effects on limb deficiency using the California sample but intensive paternal smoking (≥20 cigarettes/day) doubled the risk (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3-3.6) .…”