1
|
Ailes EC, Werler MM, Howley MM, Jenkins MM, Reefhuis J. Real-world data are not always big data: the case for primary data collection on medication use in pregnancy in the context of birth defects research. Am J Epidemiol 2024; 193:1211-1214. [PMID: 38751306 PMCID: PMC11372710 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Many examples of the use of real-world data in the area of pharmacoepidemiology include "big data," such as insurance claims, medical records, or hospital discharge databases. However, "big" is not always better, particularly when studying outcomes with narrow windows of etiologic relevance. Birth defects are such an outcome, for which specificity of exposure timing is critical. Studies with primary data collection can be designed to query details about the timing of medication use, as well as type, dose, frequency, duration, and indication, that can better characterize the "real world." Because birth defects are rare, etiologic studies are typically case‑control in design, like the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy Exposures, and Slone Birth Defects Study. Recall bias can be a concern, but the ability to collect detailed information about both prescription and over-the-counter medication use and other exposures such as diet, family history, and sociodemographic factors is a distinct advantage over claims and medical record data sources. Case‑control studies with primary data collection are essential to advancing the pharmacoepidemiology of birth defects. This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Ailes
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Martha M Werler
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meredith M Howley
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Mary M Jenkins
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Benjamin RH, Nguyen JM, Drummond-Borg M, Scheuerle AE, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Shumate CJ, Mitchell LE, Agopian AJ. Classification of isolated versus multiple birth defects: An automated process for population-based registries. Am J Med Genet A 2024:e63714. [PMID: 38770996 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies of birth defects often conduct separate analyses for cases that have isolated defects (e.g., spina bifida only) and cases that have multiple defects (e.g., spina bifida and a congenital heart defect). However, in some instances, cases with additional defects (e.g., spina bifida and clubfoot) may be more appropriately considered as isolated because the co-occurring defect (clubfoot) is believed to be developmentally related to the defect of interest. Determining which combinations should be considered isolated can be challenging and potentially resource intensive for registries. Thus, we developed automated classification procedures for differentiating between isolated versus multiple defects, while accounting for developmentally related defects, and applied the approach to data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (1999-2018 deliveries). Among 235,544 nonsyndromic cases in Texas, 89% of cases were classified as having isolated defects, with proportions ranging from 25% to 92% across 43 specific defects analyzed. A large proportion of isolated cases with spina bifida (44%), lower limb reduction defects (44%), and holoprosencephaly (32%) had developmentally related defects. Overall, our findings strongly support the need to account for isolated versus multiple defects in risk factor association analyses and to account for developmentally related defects when doing so, which has implications for interpreting prior studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata H Benjamin
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joanne M Nguyen
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Margaret Drummond-Borg
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Angela E Scheuerle
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Charles J Shumate
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Laura E Mitchell
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - A J Agopian
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Portilla-Rojas E, Ramírez L, Moreno C, Lores J, Sarmiento K, Zarante I. A case-control study characterizing polydactyly risk factors in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia between 2002 and 2020. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2312. [PMID: 38343155 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polydactyly is a congenital abnormality characterized by the presence of additional fingers on one or more extremities. In Colombia, polydactyly accounted for 17% of musculoskeletal congenital abnormalities in 2021, with a prevalence of 6.03 per 10,000 live births. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of polydactyly and identify associated risk factors in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia, from 2002 to 2020. METHODS A retrospective case-control study design was employed, analyzing data from birth defect reports provided by the Program for the Prevention and Follow-up of Congenital Defects and Orphan Diseases surveillance system. Cases included live births or stillbirths with polydactyly, while controls consisted of infants without congenital abnormality, matched in terms of birth date and hospital. Prevalence of polydactyly was calculated and risk factors were assessed through odds ratios obtained by logistic regression models, considering a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS Among the 558,255 births included in the study, 848 cases of polydactyly were identified, resulting in a prevalence rate of 15.19 per 10,000 live births. Risk factors associated with polydactyly included male newborn sex, pregestational diabetes, and a family history of malformation among first-degree relatives. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the importance a surveillance system aimed to characterize populations with congenital abnormalities, providing a better option for analyzing risk factors, help improving prevention, diagnosis, notification, and optimal treatment in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lina Ramírez
- Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Camilo Moreno
- Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliana Lores
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia
| | - Karen Sarmiento
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ignacio Zarante
- Human Genetics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Evenson KR, Mowla S, Olshan AF, Shaw GM, Ailes EC, Reefhuis J, Joshi N, Desrosiers TA. Maternal physical activity, sitting, and risk of non-cardiac birth defects. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:334-341. [PMID: 37543708 PMCID: PMC10875984 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between maternal physical activity (PA)/sitting and birth defects is largely unexplored. We examined whether pre-pregnancy PA/sitting were associated with having a pregnancy affected by a birth defect. METHODS We used data from two United States population-based case-control studies: 2008-2011 deliveries from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS; 9 states) and 2014-2018 deliveries from the Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS; 7 states). Cases with one of 12 non-cardiac birth defects (n = 3798) were identified through population-based registries. Controls (n = 2682) were live-born infants without major birth defects randomly sampled using vital/hospital records. Mothers self-reported pre-pregnancy PA/sitting. Unconditional logistic regression models estimated associations between PA/sitting categories and the 12 birth defects. RESULTS Mothers engaging in pre-pregnancy PA was associated with a reduced odds of five (spina bifida, cleft palate, anorectal atresia, hypospadias, transverse limb deficiency) and a higher odds of two (anencephaly, gastroschisis) birth defects. Mothers spending less time sitting in pre-pregnancy was associated with a reduced odds of two (anorectal atresia, hypospadias) and a higher odds of one (cleft lip with or without cleft palate) birth defect. CONCLUSIONS Reasonable next steps include replication of these findings, improved exposure assessment, and elucidation of biologic mechanisms. IMPACT Using data from two population-based case-control studies, we found that mothers engaging in different types of physical activity in the 3 months before pregnancy had an infant with a reduced odds of five and a higher odds of two birth defects. Mothers spending less time sitting in the 3 months before pregnancy had an infant with a reduced odds of two and a higher odds of one birth defect. Clarification and confirmation from additional studies are needed using more precise exposure measures, distinguishing occupational from leisure-time physical activity, and elucidation of mechanisms supporting these associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R Evenson
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Sanjida Mowla
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew F Olshan
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Ailes
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Neha Joshi
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tania A Desrosiers
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Papadopoulos EA, Howley MM, Fisher SC, Van Zutphen AR, Werler MM, Romitti PA, Browne ML. Antifungal medication use during pregnancy and the risk of selected major birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2024; 33:e5741. [PMID: 38112229 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent studies suggest increased birth defect risk associated with maternal use of specific oral antifungals. We estimated associations between first-trimester antifungal use and selected non-cardiac birth defects using National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) data. METHODS Participants with a pregnancy affected by a study-eligible birth defect ("cases") were ascertained from 10 birth defect surveillance programs; participants who delivered livebirths without a major birth defect ("controls") were randomly selected from birth records or hospital discharge lists. First-trimester antifungal use was self-reported via maternal interview. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for birth defects with ≥5 exposed cases using logistic regression. We estimated crude ORs and exact 95% CIs for birth defects with 3-4 exposed cases. Additionally, we conducted a probabilistic bias analysis of exposure misclassification. RESULTS Our analysis included 19 624 cases and 11 427 controls; 257 (1.3%) cases and 123 (1.1%) controls reported first-trimester antifungal use. Of those who reported antifungals, 62.6% of cases and 64.2% of controls reported topical antifungals; 10.1% of cases and 4.9% of controls reported oral antifungals. We observed the strongest associations for encephalocele and Dandy-Walker malformation and modestly elevated estimates for several other defects. Bias-adjusted estimates were similar to the main analysis. CONCLUSION First-trimester antifungal use was positively associated with several birth defects in our analysis, although CIs were imprecise. Further study is warranted to investigate associations between antifungal use and birth defects, including potential bias due to confounding by indication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni A Papadopoulos
- Birth Defects Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Meredith M Howley
- Birth Defects Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- Birth Defects Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Alissa R Van Zutphen
- Birth Defects Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Martha M Werler
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- Birth Defects Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Groen In 't Woud S, Roeleveld N, van Rooij IALM, Feitz WFJ, Schreuder MF, van der Zanden LFM. Environmental and parental risk factors for congenital solitary functioning kidney - a case-control study. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:2631-2641. [PMID: 36808305 PMCID: PMC10393837 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-05900-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of congenital solitary functioning kidney (CSFK) is largely unknown but likely includes various risk factors. We performed a case-control study to compare exposure to environmental and parental risk factors during embryonic kidney development between children with CSFK and healthy controls. METHODS We included 434 children with CSFK and 1302 healthy controls from the AGORA data- and biobank matched on year of birth. Exposure to potential risk factors was investigated using parental questionnaire data. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for each potential risk factor. Multiple imputation was used to deal with missing values. Confounders for each potential risk factor were selected using directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS Maternal stress was newly identified as a risk factor for CSFK (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.5). Known associations with conception using in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2), maternal infections during pregnancy (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.7), smoking during pregnancy (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-2.0), and parental CAKUT (aOR 6.6, 95% CI 2.9-15.1) were confirmed, but previous associations with diabetes and obesity could not be replicated. Folic acid supplement use and younger maternal age seemed to reduce the risk of CSFK (aORs 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0, and 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Environmental and parental risk factors are likely to be involved in the development of CSFK and future studies should combine genetic, environmental, and gene-environment interaction analyses. Women wanting to become pregnant should consider optimizing their health and lifestyle. A higher-resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sander Groen In 't Woud
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboudumc Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nel Roeleveld
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris A L M van Rooij
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wout F J Feitz
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, Radboudumc Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel F Schreuder
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboudumc Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Loes F M van der Zanden
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gaughan C, Sorrentino KM, Liew Z, Johnson NP, Clark CJ, Soriano M, Plano J, Plata DL, Saiers JE, Deziel NC. Residential proximity to unconventional oil and gas development and birth defects in Ohio. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115937. [PMID: 37076028 PMCID: PMC10198955 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemicals used or emitted by unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) include reproductive/developmental toxicants. Associations between UOGD and certain birth defects were reported in a few studies, with none conducted in Ohio, which experienced a thirty-fold increase in natural gas production between 2010 and 2020. METHODS We conducted a registry-based cohort study of 965,236 live births in Ohio from 2010 to 2017. Birth defects were identified in 4653 individuals using state birth records and a state surveillance system. We assigned UOGD exposure based on maternal residential proximity at birth to active UOG wells and a metric specific to the drinking-water exposure pathway that identified UOG wells hydrologically connected to a residence ("upgradient UOG wells"). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all structural birth defects combined and specific birth defect types using binary exposure metrics (presence/absence of any UOG well and presence/absence of an upgradient UOG well within 10 km), adjusting for confounders. Additionally, we conducted analyses stratified by urbanicity, infant sex, and social vulnerability. RESULTS The odds of any structural defect were 1.13 times higher in children born to mothers living within 10 km of UOGD than those born to unexposed mothers (95%CI: 0.98-1.30). Odds were elevated for neural tube defects (OR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.12-2.19), limb reduction defects (OR: 1.99, 95%CI: 1.18-3.35), and spina bifida (OR 1.93; 95%CI 1.25-2.98). Hypospadias (males only) was inversely related to UOGD exposure (OR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.91). Odds of any structural defect were greater in magnitude but less precise in analyses using the hydrological-specific metric (OR: 1.30; 95%CI: 0.85-1.90), in areas with high social vulnerability (OR: 1.27, 95%CI: 0.99-1.60), and among female offspring (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.06-1.53). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a positive association between UOGD and certain birth defects, and findings for neural tube defects corroborate results from prior studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casey Gaughan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale College, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Keli M Sorrentino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicholaus P Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cassandra J Clark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mario Soriano
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Julie Plano
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Desiree L Plata
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James E Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Howley MM, Fisher SC, Van Zutphen AR, Papadopoulos EA, Patel J, Lin AE, Browne ML. Maternal exposure to heparin products and risk of birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:133-144. [PMID: 36458698 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin are the preferred anticoagulants during pregnancy as they do not cross the placenta. Although research on the safety of heparin products has been reassuring, previous studies have considered birth defects as a single outcome or by larger organ system and have not examined associations with specific birth defects. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multisite, population-based case-control study from 1997 to 2011. We used unconditional logistic regression with Firth's penalized likelihood to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and profile likelihood 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for defects with at least five exposed cases. For defects with 3-4 exposed cases, we estimated crude ORs and exact 95% CIs. RESULTS Of the 42,743 women in our analysis, 117 (0.4%) case and 44 (0.4%) control mothers reported using a heparin product in early pregnancy. The adjusted ORs ranged from 0.9 to 3.9 and were elevated for anorectal atresia (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.8-4.3), longitudinal limb deficiency (3.5, 1.3-7.8), transverse limb deficiency (1.8, 0.6-4.3), atrioventricular septal defect (3.9, 1.4-9.0), and secundum atrial septal defect (2.2, 1.2-3.8). CONCLUSIONS We observed elevated associations for some birth defects, although heparin is a rare exposure, which limited our ability to evaluate many associations. Future studies that can explore specific birth defects and adequately control for confounding by indication are needed. Given that women with an indication for heparin products during pregnancy often need to take medication, one must remain mindful of the underlying risk of a birth defect that exists regardless of medication use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith M Howley
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Alissa R Van Zutphen
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Eleni A Papadopoulos
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Jenil Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Angela E Lin
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Langlois PH, Marengo L, Lupo PJ, Drummond-Borg M, Agopian A, Nembhard WN, Canfield MA. Evaluating the proportion of isolated cases among a spectrum of birth defects in a population-based registry. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:21-25. [PMID: 35218607 PMCID: PMC9411263 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Because the etiology and outcomes of birth defects may differ by the presence vs. absence of co-occurring anomalies, epidemiologic studies often attempt to classify cases into isolated versus non-isolated groupings. This report describes a computer algorithm for such classification and presents results using data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR). METHODS Each of the 1,041 birth defects coded by the TBDR was classified as chromosomal, syndromic, minor, or "needs review" by a group of three clinical geneticists. A SAS program applied those classifications to each birth defect in a case (child/fetus), and then hierarchically combined them to obtain one summary classification for each case, adding isolated and multiple defect categories. The program was applied to 136,121 cases delivered in 2012-2017. RESULTS Of total cases, 49% were classified by the platform as isolated (having only one major birth defect). This varied widely by birth defect; of those examined, the highest proportion classified as isolated was found in pyloric stenosis (87.6%), whereas several cardiovascular malformations had low proportions, including tricuspid valve atresia/stenosis (2.3%). DISCUSSION This is one of the first and largest attempts to identify the proportion of isolated cases across a broad spectrum of birth defects, which can inform future epidemiologic and genomic studies of these phenotypes. Our approach is designed for easy modification for use with any birth defects coding system and category definitions, allowing scalability for different studies or birth defects registries, which often do not have resources for individual clinical review of all case records.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. Langlois
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Science, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa Marengo
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Margaret Drummond-Borg
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - A.J. Agopian
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Science, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wendy N. Nembhard
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Mark A. Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Benjamin RH, Mitchell LE, Scheuerle AE, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Drummond-Borg M, Nguyen JM, Agopian AJ. Identifying syndromes in studies of structural birth defects: Guidance on classification and evaluation of potential impact. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:190-204. [PMID: 36286533 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Structural birth defects that occur in infants with syndromes may be etiologically distinct from those that occur in infants in whom there is not a recognized pattern of malformations; however, population-based registries often lack the resources to classify syndromic status via case reviews. We developed criteria to systematically identify infants with suspected syndromes, grouped by syndrome type and level of effort required for syndrome classification (e.g., text search). We applied this algorithm to the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR) to describe the proportion of infants with syndromes delivered during 1999-2014. We also developed a bias analysis tool to estimate the potential percent bias resulting from including infants with syndromes in studies of risk factors. Among 207,880 cases with birth defects in the TBDR, 15% had suspected syndromes and 85% were assumed to be nonsyndromic, with a range across defect types from 28.5% (atrioventricular septal defects) to 98.9% (pyloric stenosis). Across hypothetical scenarios varying expected parameters (e.g., nonsyndromic proportion), the inclusion of syndromic cases in analyses resulted in up to 50.0% bias in prevalence ratios. In summary, we present a framework for identifying infants with syndromic conditions; implementation might harmonize syndromic classification across registries and reduce bias in association estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata H Benjamin
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Laura E Mitchell
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Angela E Scheuerle
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Margaret Drummond-Borg
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Joanne M Nguyen
- Department of Genetics, Cook Children's Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - A J Agopian
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wong EC, Fisher SC, Feldkamp ML, Romitti PA, Nestoridi E, Desrosiers TA. Factors associated with maternal consent for use of residual newborn bloodspots in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:238-248. [PMID: 35194969 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated factors associated with maternal consent to use residual newborn dried bloodspots (DBS) in a national case-control study of birth defects. METHODS A subset of sites in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS; 1997-2011) asked participants to provide consent for investigators to retrieve DBS from local newborn screening programs to use for research on risk factors for birth defects. We assessed whether consent differed by factors including maternal age, education, parity, body mass index, language of interview, country of birth, and case-control status. RESULTS Of 5,850 mothers of cases and 2,534 mothers of controls, 57% provided consent for the DBS component. Mothers of cases were more likely to participate than mothers of controls (61% vs. 52%), as were mothers who self-reported white race, >12 years of education, and born in the United States. CONCLUSIONS Retrieval of DBS can be integrated into retrospective studies of neonatal outcomes including birth defects. In NBDPS, participation in the DBS component was moderate and varied by some sociodemographic factors. Further research is needed to better understand families' perspectives on using residual DBS for secondary research. Representative participation is important to reduce the potential for selection bias in future studies using DBS for children's health research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene C Wong
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Marcia L Feldkamp
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Paul A Romitti
- College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Eirini Nestoridi
- Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tania A Desrosiers
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Birth defect co-occurrence patterns in the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Pediatr Res 2022; 91:1278-1285. [PMID: 34193968 PMCID: PMC8716666 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01629-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The population-level landscape of co-occurring birth defects among infants without a syndromic diagnosis is not well understood. METHODS We analyzed data from 40,771 infants with two or more major birth defects in the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR; 1999-2014). We calculated adjusted observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios for all two, three, four, and five-way combinations of 138 major defects. RESULTS Among 530 patterns with the highest adjusted O/E ratios (top 5% of 10,595 patterns), 66% included only defects co-occurring within one organ system and 28% were suggestive of known patterns (e.g., midline developmental defects). Of the remaining patterns, the combination of defects with the highest O/E ratio (193.8) encompassed the diaphragm, spine, spleen, and heart defects. Fourteen patterns involved heart and spine defects with or without rib defects. Ten additional patterns primarily involved two hallmark components of VACTERL association (specifically, vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, renal, or limb defects, but not tracheoesophageal fistula). CONCLUSIONS Our analyses provide a description of the birth defect co-occurrence patterns in a multi-ethnic, population-based sample, and revealed several patterns of interest. This work complements prior work that has suggested etiologic connections between select defects (e.g., diaphragmatic hernia and heart and spleen anomalies; heart and spine defects). IMPACT In this large-scale, population-based study of birth defect co-occurrence patterns, we found several birth defect combinations of potential interest that warrant further investigation: congenital diaphragmatic hernia, heart, spine, and spleen defects and scimitar syndrome with vertebral defects. The majority of patterns of co-occurring defects observed more frequently than expected involved multiple defects within the same system and combinations suggestive of known associations. Nearly all of the top patterns (beyond the same system and those suggestive of known associations) involved organ systems that are components of the VACTERL association, with heart, spine, and rib defect patterns being the most common.
Collapse
|
13
|
Howley MM, Werler MM, Fisher SC, Van Zutphen AR, Carmichael SL, Broussard CS, Heinke D, Ailes EC, Pruitt SM, Reefhuis J, Mitchell AA, Browne ML. Maternal exposure to hydroxychloroquine and birth defects. Birth Defects Res 2021; 113:1245-1256. [PMID: 34296811 PMCID: PMC8426694 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for rheumatic disease and considered safe during pregnancy. Interest in hydroxychloroquine has increased as it is being examined as a potential treatment and prophylaxis for coronavirus disease 2019. Data on the risks of specific birth defects associated with hydroxychloroquine use are sparse. Methods Using data from two case–control studies (National Birth Defects Prevention Study and Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study), we described women who reported hydroxychloroquine use in pregnancy and the presence of specific major birth defects in their offspring. Cases had at least one major birth defect and controls were live‐born healthy infants. Women self‐reported medication use information in the few months before pregnancy through delivery. Results In total, 0.06% (19/31,468) of case and 0.04% (5/11,614) of control mothers in National Birth Defects Prevention Study, and 0.04% (11/29,838) of case and 0.05% (7/12,868) of control mothers in Birth Defects Study reported hydroxychloroquine use. Hydroxychloroquine users had complicated medical histories and frequent medication use for a variety of conditions. The observed birth defects among women taking hydroxychloroquine were varied and included nine oral cleft cases; the elevated observed:expected ratios for specific oral cleft phenotypes and for oral clefts overall had 95% confidence intervals that included 1.0. Conclusion While teratogens typically produce a specific pattern of birth defects, the observed birth defects among the hydroxychloroquine‐exposed women did not present a clear pattern, suggesting no meaningful evidence for the risk of specific birth defects. The number of exposed cases is small; results should be interpreted cautiously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith M Howley
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Martha M Werler
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Alissa R Van Zutphen
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Suzan L Carmichael
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Cheryl S Broussard
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dominique Heinke
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Ailes
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shannon M Pruitt
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Allen A Mitchell
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Serunjogi R, Barlow-Mosha L, Mumpe-Mwanja D, Williamson D, Valencia D, Tinker SC, Adler MR, Namale-Matovu J, Kalibbala D, Nankunda J, Nabunya E, Birabwa-Male D, Byamugisha J, Musoke P. Comparative analysis of perinatal outcomes and birth defects amongst adolescent and older Ugandan mothers: evidence from a hospital-based surveillance database. Reprod Health 2021; 18:56. [PMID: 33663555 PMCID: PMC7934544 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01115-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uganda has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the risk of adverse birth outcomes between adolescents (age 12–19 years) and mothers (age 20–34 years) in four urban hospitals. Methods Maternal demographics, HIV status, and birth outcomes of all live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions delivered from August 2015 to December 2018 were extracted from a hospital-based birth defects surveillance database. Differences in the distributions of maternal and infant characteristics by maternal age groups were tested with Pearson’s chi-square. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression to compare the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes among adolescents to mothers 20–34 years. Results A total of 100,189 births were analyzed, with 11.1% among adolescent mothers and 89.0% among older mothers. Adolescent mothers had an increased risk of preterm delivery (aOR: 1.14; CI 1.06–1.23), low birth weight (aOR: 1.46; CI 1.34–1.59), and early neonatal deaths (aOR: 1.58; CI 1.23–2.02). Newborns of adolescent mothers had an increased risk of major external birth defects (aOR: 1.33; CI 1.02–1.76), specifically, gastroschisis (aOR: 3.20; CI 1.12–9.13) compared to mothers 20–34 years. The difference between the prevalence of gastroschisis among adolescent mothers (7.3 per 10,000 births; 95% CI 3.7–14.3) was statistically significant when compared to mothers 20–34 years (1.6 per 10,000 births; 95% CI 0.9–2.6). Conclusions This study found that adolescent mothers had an increased risk for several adverse birth outcomes compared to mothers 20–34 years, similar to findings in the region and globally. Interventions are needed to improve birth outcomes in this vulnerable population. Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem occurring in high-, middle-, and low-income countries with Uganda having one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the risk of adverse birth outcomes, including major external birth defects, between adolescents, (age 12–19 years) and mothers (age 20–34 years) in four urban hospitals. All informative births, including live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions; regardless of gestational age, delivered at four selected hospitals in Kampala from August 2015 to December 2018 were examined. Demographic data were obtained by midwives through maternal interviews and review of hospital patient notes. Of the 100,189 births, 11.0% were among adolescent mothers and 89.0% among mothers (20–34 years). Adolescent mothers were more likely than mothers (20–34 years) to have an infant with preterm delivery, low birth weight, early neonatal death, and major external birth defects. Adolescent pregnancies were also associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis when compared to mothers (20–34 years). In conclusion, this study found that adolescent mothers had an increased risk for several adverse birth outcomes compared to mothers 20–34 years. Research on the potential underlying causes or mechanisms for these adverse outcomes among adolescent births is necessary to identify possible interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Serunjogi
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Linda Barlow-Mosha
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Mumpe-Mwanja
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dhelia Williamson
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana Valencia
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah C Tinker
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michelle R Adler
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joyce Namale-Matovu
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dennis Kalibbala
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jolly Nankunda
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Evelyn Nabunya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Doreen Birabwa-Male
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Josaphat Byamugisha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Philippa Musoke
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, P. O. Box 23491, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Benavides-Lara A, la Paz Barboza-Arguello MD, González-Elizondo M, Hernández-deMezerville M, Brenes-Chacón H, Ramírez-Rojas M, Ramírez-Hernández C, Arjona-Ortegón N, Godfred-Cato S, Valencia D, Moore CA, Soriano-Fallas A. Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects, Costa Rica, 2016-2018. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27. [PMID: 33496653 PMCID: PMC7853552 DOI: 10.3201/eid2702.202047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced birth defect surveillance increased identification of virus-associated abnormalities, including microcephaly. After Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Costa Rica was confirmed in January 2016, the national surveillance system was enhanced to monitor associated birth defects. To characterize the ZIKV outbreak among live-born infants during March 2016–March 2018, we conducted a descriptive analysis. Prevalence of ZIKV-associated birth defects was 15.3 cases/100,000 live births. Among 22 infants with ZIKV-associated birth defects, 11 were designated as confirmed (positive for ZIKV) and 11 were designated as probable cases (negative for ZIKV or not tested, but mother was expsed to ZIKV during pregnancy). A total of 91% had microcephaly (head circumference >2 SDs below mean for age and sex), 64% severe microcephaly (head circumference > 3 SDs below mean for age and sex), 95% neurodevelopmental abnormalities, 82% brain anomalies, 41% eye abnormalities, and 9% hearing loss. Monitoring children for > 1 year can increase identification of ZIKV-associated abnormalities in addition to microcephaly.
Collapse
|
16
|
Agot GN, Mweu MM, Wang'ombe JK. Risk factors for major external structural birth defects among children in Kiambu County, Kenya: a case-control study. F1000Res 2021; 10:59. [PMID: 33880173 PMCID: PMC8039862 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.50738.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although major external structural birth defects continue to occur globally, the greatest burden is shouldered by resource-constrained countries with no surveillance systems. To our knowledge, many studies have been published on risk factors for major external structural birth defects, however, limited studies have been published in developing countries. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for major external structural birth defects among children in Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was used to identify the risk factors for major external structural birth defects. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information retrospectively on maternal exposure to environmental teratogens, multifactorial inheritance, and sociodemographic-environmental factors during the study participants' last pregnancies. Descriptive analyses (means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges) were used to summarize continuous variables, whereas categorical variables were summarized as proportions and percentages in frequency tables. Afterward, logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of the predictors on the odds of major external structural birth defects in the country. Results: Women who conceived when residing in Ruiru sub-county (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.28; 95% CI; 1.68-16.58; P<0.01), and Kiambu sub-county (aOR: 0.27; 95% CI; 0.076-0.95; P=0.04), and preceding siblings with history of birth defects (aOR: 7.65; 95% CI; 1.46-40.01; P=0.02) were identified as the significant predictors of major external structural birth defects in the county. Conclusions: These findings pointed to MESBDs of genetic, multifactorial inheritance, and sociodemographic-environmental etiology. Thus, we recommend regional defect-specific surveillance programs, public health preventive measures, and treatment strategies to understand the epidemiology and economic burden of these defects in Kenya. We specifically recommend the integration of clinical genetic services with routine reproductive health services because of potential maternal genetic predisposition in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George N Agot
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marshal M Mweu
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph K Wang'ombe
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hussaini KS, Drummond D, Bartoshesky LE, Acheson A, Stomieroski K, Paul DA, Kirby RS. Assessing the relationship between neonatal abstinence syndrome and birth defects in Delaware. Birth Defects Res 2021; 113:144-151. [PMID: 32996723 PMCID: PMC10947796 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a withdrawal syndrome in newborns and is frequently caused by maternal opioid use during pregnancy. Our study examines whether NAS is associated with birth defects in Delaware. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of linked Delaware birth certificate data (BCD), hospital discharge data (HDD), and birth defects registry (BDR) data to examine the association between NAS and birth defects for all hospital births to Delaware residents from 2010 to 2017. Birth defects data were abstracted from medical records from Delaware's BDR. We used International Classification of Diseases Ninth and Tenth Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM) 779.5 and P96.1 codes to determine NAS using HDD and excluded iatrogenic cases of NAS. We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS During 2010-2017, there were 2,784 cases of birth defects and 1,651 cases of NAS in Delaware. Among infants with a diagnosis of NAS, 56 also had a birth defect (3.4%), similar to 2,728 birth defects among 79,636 infants without a diagnosis of NAS (3.4%). We found no statistically significant association between an NAS diagnosis and birth defects (adjusted odds ratios = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8-1.3). CONCLUSIONS Our multiyear state-wide study using linked BCD, HDD, and BDR data for Delaware did not show a statistically significant association between infants diagnosed with NAS and birth defects, overall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khaleel S. Hussaini
- Field Support Branch, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
- Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Dover, Delaware
| | - Dana Drummond
- Drug Overdose Surveillance Epidemiologist, Division of Prevention and Community Health, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington
| | - Louis E. Bartoshesky
- Pediatrics, ChristianaCare, Newark, Delaware
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy Acheson
- Center for Women’s, Infants’ and Children’s Health Research, ChristianaCare, Newark, Delaware
| | - Kathleen Stomieroski
- Center for Women’s, Infants’ and Children’s Health Research, ChristianaCare, Newark, Delaware
| | - David A. Paul
- Pediatrics, ChristianaCare, Newark, Delaware
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Russell S. Kirby
- Distinguished Professor and Marrell Endowed Chair, Birth Defects Surveillance ProgramCollege of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Heinke D, Rich-Edwards JW, Williams PL, Hernandez-Diaz S, Anderka M, Fisher SC, Desrosiers TA, Shaw GM, Romitti PA, Canfield M, Yazdy MM. Quantification of selection bias in studies of risk factors for birth defects among livebirths. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2020; 34:655-664. [PMID: 32249969 PMCID: PMC7541428 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk factors for birth defects are frequently investigated using data limited to liveborn infants. By conditioning on survival, results of such studies may be distorted by selection bias, also described as "livebirth bias." However, the implications of livebirth bias on risk estimation remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES We sought to quantify livebirth bias and to investigate the conditions under which it arose. METHODS We used data on 3994 birth defects cases and 11 829 controls enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to compare odds ratio (OR) estimates of the relationship between three established risk factors (antiepileptic drug use, smoking, and multifetal pregnancy) and four birth defects (anencephaly, spina bifida, omphalocele, and cleft palate) when restricted to livebirths as compared to among livebirths, stillbirths, and elective terminations. Exposures and birth defects represented varying strengths of association with livebirth; all controls were liveborn. We performed a quantitative bias analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of our results to excluding terminated and stillborn controls. RESULTS Cases ranged from 33% liveborn (anencephaly) to 99% (cleft palate). Smoking and multifetal pregnancy were associated with livebirth among anencephaly (crude OR [cOR] 0.61 and cOR 3.15, respectively) and omphalocele cases (cOR 2.22 and cOR 5.22, respectively). For analyses of the association between exposures and birth defects, restricting to livebirths produced negligible differences in estimates except for anencephaly and multifetal pregnancy, which was twofold higher among livebirths (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.93) as among all pregnancy outcomes (aOR 2.44). Within tested scenarios, bias analyses suggested that results were not sensitive to the restriction to liveborn controls. CONCLUSIONS Selection bias was generally limited except for high mortality defects in the context of exposures strongly associated with livebirth. Findings indicate that substantial livebirth bias is unlikely to affect studies of risk factors for most birth defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Heinke
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Janet W. Rich-Edwards
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paige L. Williams
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sonia Hernandez-Diaz
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marlene Anderka
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah C. Fisher
- Congenital Malformations Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Tania A. Desrosiers
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Gary M. Shaw
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mark Canfield
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
| | - Mahsa M. Yazdy
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Agot GN, Mweu MM, Wang'ombe JK. Prevalence of major external structural birth defects in Kiambu County, Kenya, 2014-2018. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 37:187. [PMID: 33447342 PMCID: PMC7778172 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.187.26289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction major external structural birth defects are typical and have been associated with childhood morbidity, mortality and lifelong resource-intensive disabilities. These defects continue to occur; however, they are yet to be recognized as public health problems in Kenya. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of major external structural birth defects in Kiambu County in Kenya, 2014-2018. Methods a cross-sectional study design was adopted; a retrospective review of medical records was conducted between 2014 and 2018 abstracting 873 birth defects. Following a predetermined inclusion criterion, a five-year prevalence numerator of 362 cases was determined, whereas, a five-year prevalence denominator of 299,854 cases of registered live-births was obtained from the birth registrar. Annual prevalence estimates of 29 sub-groups and 6 groups of these defects were calculated as the number of cases (numerator) divided by the number of live-births (denominator). Associated 95% binomial exact confidence intervals were also computed and expressed per 100,000 live-births. Results defects of the musculoskeletal system, the central nervous system, orofacial, genital organs, eye and anus were observed. Defects of the musculoskeletal system were the most prevalent, ranging from 22.98 (95% CI: 11.87-40.13) to 116.9 (95% CI: 92.98-145.08) per 100,000 live-births. Defects of the central nervous system followed ranging between 13.40 (95% CI: 5.39-27.61) and 32.79 (95% CI: 20.79-49.19) per 100,000 live-births. Conclusion despite musculoskeletal system defects being the most common group, hypospadias; a defect of the male genital organ was the most prevalent among the sub-group of these defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Nyadimo Agot
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marshal Mutinda Mweu
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chukwubuike KE, Ozor I, Enyi N. Prevalence and pattern of birth defects in the two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South East Nigeria: A hospital-based observational study. Afr J Paediatr Surg 2020; 17:85-89. [PMID: 33342840 PMCID: PMC8051625 DOI: 10.4103/ajps.ajps_59_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birth defects have medical, surgical and aesthetic consequences. The impact of birth defects is particularly severe in low-income countries where health-care resources are limited. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of birth defects in live newborns delivered at the two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South East Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a hospital-based observational study carried out on neonates delivered in the maternity units of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu during the periods of January 2015 and December 2018. All the live-born babies born in the two hospitals during this period were recruited into the study. The neonates were examined by a paediatrician for the presence of birth defects. The birth defects were classified according to the system involved and also into major and minor. RESULTS During the study period, 9492 babies were born, of which 166 had birth defects, which gave a prevalence of 1.75%. The predominant system affected by birth defects was the musculoskeletal system (45.2%) followed by the central nervous system (34.9%), urogenital system (10.8%) and gastrointestinal tract (9%). 13 (7.8%) patients had their birth defects diagnosed prenatally during the maternal ultrasound scan. Fifteen (9%) and 13 (7.8%) mothers of the neonates who had birth defects were diabetics and hypertensives, respectively. Most of the neonates were delivered vaginally. CONCLUSION Birth defects are not uncommon. This study showed a prevalence of 1.75% in the two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South East Nigeria. The most commonly affected system was the musculoskeletal system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Emeka Chukwubuike
- Department of Surgery, Paediatric Surgery Unit, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Ignatius Ozor
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Unit, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Nnenna Enyi
- Department of Anatomy, Enugu State University, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hoyt AT, Ramadhani T, Le MT, Shumate CJ, Canfield MA, Scheuerle AE. Acculturation and selected birth defects among non-Hispanic Blacks in a population-based case-control study. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:535-554. [PMID: 32134219 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are noted birth defects prevalence differences between race/ethnicity groups. For instance, non-Hispanic (NH) Black mothers are more likely to have an infant with encephalocele, although less likely to have an infant with anotia/microtia compared to NH Whites. When stratifying by nativity and years lived within the United States, additional variations become apparent. METHODS Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study were used to calculate descriptive statistics and estimate crude/adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) among NH Blacks with one of 30 major defects and non-malformed controls. Total case/controls were as follows: U.S.- (2,773/1101); Foreign- (343/151); African-born (161/64). Study participants were also examined by number of years lived in the U.S. (≤5 vs. 6+ years). RESULTS Compared to U.S.-born, foreign-born NH Black controls tended to be older, had more years of education, and were more likely to have a higher household income. They also had fewer previous livebirths and were less likely to be obese. In the adjusted analyses, two defect groups were significantly attenuated: limb deficiencies, aORs/95%CIs = (0.44 [0.20-0.97]) and septal defects (0.69 [0.48-0.99]). After stratifying by years lived in the United States, the risk for hydrocephaly (2.43 [1.03-5.74]) became apparent among those having lived 6+ years in the United States. When restricting to African-born mothers, none of the findings were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Foreign-born NH Blacks were at a reduced risk for a few selected defects. Results were consistent after restricting to African-born mothers and did not change considerably when stratifying by years lived in the United States.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne T Hoyt
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.,Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Mimi T Le
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Charlie J Shumate
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Angela E Scheuerle
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to water disinfection by-products (DBPs) may increase the risk of certain birth defects. However, evidence for musculoskeletal defects (MSDs) is limited. Previous MSD studies have not examined DBPs beyond trihalomethanes (THMs) and have not separately examined limb or diaphragm defects which may have distinct developmental etiologies.
Collapse
|
23
|
Choi G, Stingone JA, Desrosiers TA, Olshan AF, Nembhard WN, Shaw GM, Pruitt S, Romitti PA, Yazdy MM, Browne ML, Langlois PH, Botto L, Luben TJ. Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution and congenital limb deficiencies in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108716. [PMID: 31546130 PMCID: PMC6842662 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital limb deficiencies (CLDs) are a relatively common group of birth defects whose etiology is mostly unknown. Recent studies suggest maternal air pollution exposure as a potential risk factor. AIM To investigate the relationship between ambient air pollution exposure during early pregnancy and offspring CLDs. METHODS The study population was identified from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a population-based multi-center case-control study, and consisted of 615 CLD cases and 5,701 controls with due dates during 1997 through 2006. Daily averages and/or maxima of six criteria air pollutants (particulate matter <2.5 μm [PM2.5], particulate matter <10 μm [PM10], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], sulfur dioxide [SO2], carbon monoxide [CO], and ozone [O3]) were averaged over gestational weeks 2-8, as well as for individual weeks during this period, using data from EPA air monitors nearest to the maternal address. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, and study center. We estimated aORs for any CLD and CLD subtypes (i.e., transverse, longitudinal, and preaxial). Potential confounding by co-pollutant was assessed by adjusting for one additional air pollutant. Using the single pollutant model, we further investigated effect measure modification by body mass index, cigarette smoking, and folic acid use. Sensitivity analyses were conducted restricting to those with a residence closer to an air monitor. RESULTS We observed near-null aORs for CLDs per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM10, PM2.5, and O3. However, weekly averages of the daily average NO2 and SO2, and daily max NO2, SO2, and CO concentrations were associated with increased odds of CLDs. The crude ORs ranged from 1.03 to 1.12 per IQR increase in these air pollution concentrations, and consistently elevated aORs were observed for CO. Stronger associations were observed for SO2 and O3 in subtype analysis (preaxial). In co-pollutant adjusted models, associations with CO remained elevated (aORs: 1.02-1.30); but aORs for SO2 and NO2 became near-null. The aORs for CO remained elevated among mothers who lived within 20 km of an air monitor. The aORs varied by maternal BMI, smoking status, and folic acid use. CONCLUSION We observed modest associations between CLDs and air pollution exposures during pregnancy, including CO, SO2, and NO2, though replication through further epidemiologic research is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giehae Choi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
| | - Jeanette A Stingone
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tania A Desrosiers
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Andrew F Olshan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Wendy N Nembhard
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Shannon Pruitt
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Mahsa M Yazdy
- Massachusetts Department of Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Peter H Langlois
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Lorenzo Botto
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Thomas J Luben
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Damkier P, Brønniche LMS, Korch-Frandsen JFB, Broe A. In utero exposure to antibiotics and risk of congenital malformations: a population-based study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 221:648.e1-648.e15. [PMID: 31260651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotics are commonly prescribed during pregnancy. Although the safety of most penicillins is well established, some controversy and uncertainty are associated with the use of other commonly prescribed antibiotics. OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of congenital malformations following first-trimester in utero exposure to 10 commonly prescribed antibiotics in Denmark. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cohort study comprising all singleton liveborn children in Denmark between 2000 and 2015. Data on malformations were collected through 2016. Merging validated and comprehensive populationwide Danish healthcare and civic registries, we merged data on pregnancy, prescription drugs purchases during first trimester and congenital malformations. Using logistic regression, we calculated the odds ratio for congenital malformations (any), major congenital malformations, and cardiac congenital malformations for the 10 most commonly prescribed antibiotics (excluding 4 penicillins that served as control). In the primary analysis, the exposed cohort was compared to a cohort exposed to any of 4 penicillins considered safe during pregnancy (ampicillin, pivampicillin, benzylpenicillin, and phenoxymethylpenicillin). In sensitivity analysis, the exposed cohort was compared to an unexposed cohort. Covariate adjustments were made for maternal age at delivery, year of delivery, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking, educational status, employment status, and annual personal income. RESULTS We found no increased risk of congenital malformations to be related to first-trimester in utero exposure to the 10 most commonly prescribed antibiotics in Denmark compared to a cohort of pregnant women exposed to penicillins that are considered safe during pregnancy. Compared to unexposed pregnancies, small increased risks for major malformations and cardiac malformations were apparent for pivmecillinam (odds ratio, 1.13; confidence interval, 1.06-1.19; and odds ratio, 1.15; confidence interval, 1.04-1.28, respectively), sulfamethizole (odds ratio, 1.15; confidence interval, 1.07-1.24; and odds ratio, 1.22; confidence interval, 1.07-1.39, respectively), and azithromycin (odds ratio, 1.19, confidence interval, 1.03-1.38; and odds ratio, 1.29, confidence interval, 0.99-1.67, respectively). CONCLUSION In this large populationwide cohort study, we found, with a high degree of precision, no increased risk of congenital malformations following first-trimester exposure to 10 commonly prescribed systemic antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Per Damkier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Louise M S Brønniche
- Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Broe
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tinker SC, Reefhuis J, Bitsko RH, Gilboa SM, Mitchell AA, Tran EL, Werler MM, Broussard CS. Use of benzodiazepine medications during pregnancy and potential risk for birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:613-620. [PMID: 30891943 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepine medications can be used to treat anxiety, a condition affecting 15% of women of childbearing age in the United States. Studies have shown conflicting results for the association between benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and birth defects. METHODS We analyzed 1997-2011 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multisite, population-based case-control study. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with benzodiazepine use in pregnancy among mothers of live-born infants without a birth defect (control mothers). We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between specific birth defects and benzodiazepine use; we estimated crude odds ratios (cORs) for defect categories with 3-4 exposed cases. RESULTS Exposure to benzodiazepines during pregnancy was rare (N = 93/11,614; 0.8%). Benzodiazepine use was more common among control mothers who were ≥30 years, non-Hispanic white, had more education, smoked, and took antidepressant medication. We observed significantly elevated ORs for any benzodiazepine and Dandy-Walker malformation (cOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.6); for alprazolam and anophthalmia or microphthalmia (cOR: 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 13.1) and esophageal atresia or stenosis (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 5.9); and lorazepam and pulmonary valve stenosis (cOR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 14.2), but sample sizes were limited and therefore CIs were wide. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that benzodiazepines use is rare and may be associated with risk for certain birth defects. However, these results need replication and should be interpreted with caution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Tinker
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca H Bitsko
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Suzanne M Gilboa
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Allen A Mitchell
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emmy L Tran
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Martha M Werler
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cheryl S Broussard
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Collecting useful data on a sufficiently large cohort of pregnancies in women with rheumatic disease is a challenge. The original manuscripts that demonstrated the dangers of pregnancy in women with lupus were relatively small case series. As larger prospective cohorts were collected by university-based experts, however, greater safety was demonstrated and the current norms of treatment were determined. In recent years, larger administrative databases have been tapped to study pregnancies not managed within university clinics and to study the long-term impact of maternal rheumatic disease on the offspring. Each of these methods of study has both strengths and weaknesses, adding a unique piece of data to our overall knowledge. We will discuss a range of approaches to the study of rheumatic disease in pregnancy, covering the potential benefits that each brings as well as the biases that can impact study results. When the results of studies are viewed through these lenses, each can contribute to our larger understanding of the rheumatic diseases in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Vinet
- Divisions of Clinical Epidemiology and Rheumatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Eliza F Chakravarty
- Division of Arthritis & Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Megan E B Clowse
- Division of Rheumatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Damkier P, Videbech P. The Safety of Second-Generation Antipsychotics During Pregnancy: A Clinically Focused Review. CNS Drugs 2018; 32:351-366. [PMID: 29637530 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0517-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The issue of antipsychotic treatment during pregnancy is subject to substantial uncertainty and some controversy among healthcare providers, specifically pertaining to second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) that are subject to a large gap in safety data during pregnancy compared with antidepressants. The amount of safety data for the use of SGAs during pregnancy is rapidly increasing, thus constantly changing the level of evidence. We performed a clinically focused review on the safety of SGA during pregnancy. Twenty-three studies provided various pregnancy outcomes for 14,382 pregnant women exposed to an SGA during pregnancy. In utero exposure to aripiprazole, olanzapine, and quetiapine is not associated with increased risks of major congenital malformations, whereas risperidone and paliperidone may be associated with a very minor increased risk of congenital malformations. Safety data on ziprasidone and clozapine remain scarce and insufficient for a quantitative safety evaluation. No or minimal safety data are available for amisulpride, asenapine, lurasidone, and sertindole. For other pregnancy outcomes of interest, e.g. miscarriage, stillbirth, and small for gestational age, the available data overall do not suggest a clinically important increased risk, and do not allow for a meaningful stratification on individual drug level. Furthermore, for neonatal adaption and childhood neurodevelopment, the data do not allow for a meaningful risk assessment. It is imperative that factors in addition to safety data, e.g. individual disease history, characteristics and treatment response, adverse reaction profile, and patient preferences, be considered for the individual patient when choosing specific SGA treatment during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Per Damkier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Poul Videbech
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Depression Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gelperin K, Hammad H, Leishear K, Bird ST, Taylor L, Hampp C, Sahin L. A systematic review of pregnancy exposure registries: examination of protocol-specified pregnancy outcomes, target sample size, and comparator selection. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2016; 26:208-214. [PMID: 28028914 DOI: 10.1002/pds.4150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our study sought to systematically evaluate protocol-specified study methodology in prospective pregnancy exposure registries including pre-specified pregnancy outcomes, power calculations for sample size, and comparator group selection. METHODS U.S. pregnancy exposure registries designed to evaluate safety of drugs or biologics were identified from www.clinicaltrials.gov, the FDA's Office of Women's Health website, and the FDA's list of postmarketing studies. Protocols or similar documentation were obtained. RESULTS We identified 35 U.S. registries for drugs or biologic use during pregnancy. All registries assessed risk for overall major congenital malformations. Pre-specified target enrollment was stated for 18 (51%) registries, and ranged from 150 to 500 exposed pregnancies (median 300). Thirty-two (91%) registries identified at least one comparison group, but only nine (26%) planned to use an internal comparator. The most common external comparator group (n = 24, 69%) was the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). CONCLUSIONS No registries were designed to have sufficient power to assess specific malformations, despite the plausibility that most teratogens cause specific defects. Only half of the registries included a power analysis. Despite their common use, external comparators, including MACDP, have important limitations. In the absence of randomized controlled trial data in pregnant women, pregnancy registries remain an important tool as part of a comprehensive pregnancy surveillance program; however, pregnancy registries alone may not be sufficient to obtain adequate data regarding risks of specific malformations. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Gelperin
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hoda Hammad
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Kira Leishear
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Steven T Bird
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Lockwood Taylor
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Christian Hampp
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Leyla Sahin
- FDA CDER, Office of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Moore CA, Yoon PW, Edmonds LD, Erickson JD. Editorial perspectives from the founding CDC leadership of the National Birth Defects Prevention study. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2015; 103:649-651. [PMID: 26069218 PMCID: PMC5513482 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A Moore
- Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Paula W Yoon
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Larry D Edmonds
- Retired, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - J David Erickson
- Retired, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|