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Fat intake and the risk of gastroschisis

Anna Maria Siega-Riz1, Andy F Olshan, Martha M Werler

  • 1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27516, USA. am_siegariz@unc.edu

Birth Defects Research. Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology
|April 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Higher maternal intake of total and saturated fats may weakly increase gastroschisis risk. This study did not explain why younger mothers have higher risks for this birth defect.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive epidemiology
  • Nutritional science
  • Birth defect research

Background:

  • Young maternal age is linked to higher gastroschisis risk.
  • Gastroschisis pathogenesis may involve vascular disruption.
  • Dietary fats are potential contributors due to vasoconstrictive properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal dietary fat intake and gastroschisis.
  • To determine if maternal age modifies the relationship between dietary fats and gastroschisis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).
  • Included 304 gastroschisis cases and 3313 controls.
  • Assessed dietary intake via food frequency questionnaire, focusing on fats and cholesterol.
  • Employed logistic regression, testing age and smoking as effect modifiers.

Main Results:

  • Gastroschisis cases showed higher mean intakes of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
  • Increased total and saturated fat intake was weakly associated with higher gastroschisis odds.
  • No significant association found for monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.
  • Cholesterol intake showed a potential inverse association with gastroschisis risk.
  • No evidence of maternal age or smoking as effect modifiers was observed.

Conclusions:

  • A potential weak association exists between higher total or saturated fat intake and increased gastroschisis risk.
  • The study did not elucidate the reason for the higher gastroschisis risk in younger mothers.
  • Further research is needed to understand the complex etiology of gastroschisis.
Abstract

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