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Published on: June 24, 2020
Maternal corticosteroid use and hypospadias
Suzan L Carmichael1, Chen Ma, Martha M Werler
1California Research Division, March of Dimes Foundation, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. scarmichael@marchofdimes.com
The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 28, 2009
Summary
Maternal corticosteroid use during early pregnancy showed a weak association with hypospadias risk. This link became negligible after accounting for other factors, suggesting minimal impact on infant outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pediatric Health
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Hypospadias is a common congenital condition affecting the male urethra.
- Maternal medication use during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for birth defects.
- Corticosteroids are widely used medications with potential teratogenic concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal corticosteroid use and the risk of hypospadias in offspring.
- To determine if corticosteroid exposure during early pregnancy increases hypospadias incidence.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, case-control study using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997-2004).
- Included 1165 cases of moderate to severe hypospadias and 3000 non-malformed male controls.
- Assessed maternal self-reported corticosteroid use from 4 weeks before conception to 14 weeks after conception.
Main Results:
- Maternal corticosteroid use was reported in 3.3% of cases and 2.1% of controls.
- An unadjusted odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI = 1.1 to 2.5) was observed for any corticosteroid exposure.
- Adjusted odds ratio decreased to 1.3 (95% CI = 0.8 to 2.0), with nasal spray/inhaled corticosteroids showing an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI = 0.9 to 2.6).
Conclusions:
- Maternal corticosteroid use demonstrated a weak association with hypospadias risk.
- The association was negligible after adjustment for potential confounding factors.
- The findings suggest limited evidence for a causal link between maternal corticosteroid exposure and hypospadias.
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