Adverse social determinants and risk for congenital anomalies

Different studies have related familiar and regional adverse social conditions to perinatal outcome (neonatal mortality, low birth weight and prematurity); however, few studies have studied the effect of poverty on congenital anomalies.

To assess the hazard ratio of 25 congenital anomalies and adverse social determinants as per the socioeconomic level of families and regions.

Exploratory, case-control study using data from the Latin-American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (Estudio Colaborativo Latinoamericano de Malformaciones Congenitas, ECLAMC). The sample consisted of 3786 live newborn infants with a single malformation and 13,344 controls selected among 546,129 births occurred in 39 hospitals from Argentina in the 1992-2001 period. Both direct and indirect (residence) risks (OR) were estimated, together with the interaction between the individual and residential socioeconomic levels for each of the 25 congenital anomalies.

Cleft lip with/without cleft palate (OR= 1.43) and ventricular septal defect (OR= 1.38) showed a significantly higher risk in the lower socioeconomic level. Low socioeconomic levels were significantly associated with a higher frequency of parental sibship (blood relationship); native descent; maternal age younger than 19 years old; more than four pregnancies; a low number of antenatal care visits; and residence in deprived regions.

Cleft lip with/without cleft palate and ventricular septal defects were significantly associated with a lower socioeconomic level. Lack of family planning and antenatal care; and exposure to environmental or teratogenic agents may account for these findings.