Gastroschisis in Ontario, Canada: 2012-2018
Danielle K Bourque1, Lynn Meng2, Shelley Dougan2,3
1Regional Genetics Program, CHEO, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Birth Defects Research
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Gastroschisis, a birth defect, is linked to young maternal age, low BMI, and rural living. Prenatal exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, especially marijuana, increases risk.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect with unknown causes.
- Known associations include young maternal age, low socioeconomic status, low BMI, and smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of gastroschisis in Ontario.
- To examine associations with maternal age, health, exposures, and geography.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of epidemiologic data from the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario database.
- Analysis of gastroschisis cases from 2012-2018.
Main Results:
- Birth prevalence was 2.31 cases/10,000 births, with no change over time or sex difference.
- Gastroschisis correlated with younger maternal age, lower maternal BMI, and first pregnancies.
- Maternal smoking, alcohol, drug use (especially marijuana), and rural residence were associated with increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Mothers of infants with gastroschisis are more likely to be young, thin, live rurally, and use substances prenatally.
- Identifies key risk factors for targeted public health interventions.
