Maternal corticosteroid use and orofacial clefts.
Suzan L Carmichael1, Gary M Shaw, Chen Ma
1March of Dimes Foundation/California Department of Health Services, California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, Berkeley, CA, USA. SCarmichael@marchofdimes.com
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Maternal corticosteroid use in early pregnancy may increase the risk of cleft lip and palate (CLP) in infants. This study found a moderately increased risk, highlighting potential concerns for prenatal medication exposure.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health
- Pediatric health
- Teratology
Background:
- Orofacial clefts, including cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate (CP), are common birth defects.
- Maternal medication use during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for congenital anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal corticosteroid use during pregnancy and the occurrence of orofacial clefts in offspring.
Main Methods:
- Population-based case-control study utilizing data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
- Telephone interviews were conducted with mothers of infants with CLP, CP, and controls to assess exposure to corticosteroids.
Main Results:
- Maternal corticosteroid use was reported in 2.9% of CLP cases, 1.0% of CP cases, and 1.7% of controls.
- A crude odds ratio of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2.6) was observed for CLP associated with any corticosteroid use.
- Odds ratios for CP were close to 1, while odds ratios for CLP tended to be elevated when analyzed by route and medication components.
Conclusions:
- Results suggest a moderately increased risk of cleft lip and palate (CLP) in infants born to mothers who used corticosteroids during early pregnancy.
- Further research may be warranted to explore specific corticosteroid types and exposure windows in relation to CLP risk.
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