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Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with a congenital digital anomaly

Li-Xing Man1, Benjamin Chang

  • 1Division of Plastic Surgery, Health System, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of congenital digital anomalies in newborns. This study found a significant dose-response relationship, highlighting smoking as a preventable risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Teratology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Investigated the link between maternal smoking and congenital digital anomalies.
  • Utilized the U.S. Natality database (2001-2002).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of polydactyly, syndactyly, or adactyly.
  • To assess the dose-response relationship between smoking intensity and risk.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 6,839,854 live births.
  • Identified 5,171 newborns with isolated digital anomalies and 10,342 controls.
  • Adjusted for confounding factors like maternal marital status and medical conditions.

Main Results:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with a higher risk of congenital digital anomalies (adjusted OR, 1.31).
  • A dose-response relationship was observed, with higher cigarette consumption per day leading to increased risk.
  • The risk increased with smoking intensity: 1-10 cigarettes/day (OR, 1.29), 11-20 cigarettes/day (OR, 1.38), and 21+ cigarettes/day (OR, 1.78).

Conclusions:

  • Maternal cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for congenital digital anomalies.
  • The findings suggest that smoking cessation during pregnancy could be a key preventive strategy.
  • This study provides the largest evidence base to date on this specific association.
Abstract

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