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A women's birth cohort effect on malformation rates
International Journal of Epidemiology
|December 1, 1982
Summary
Maternal birth cohort may explain the rise in gastroschisis (a birth defect) in Sweden during the 1970s. Women born between 1953-1955 appear to have a higher risk of having infants with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Medical Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Gastroschisis prevalence at birth increased notably in Sweden in the early 1970s.
- Previous case-control studies failed to identify specific teratogenic factors responsible for this rise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel hypothesis linking maternal birth cohort to the increased incidence of gastroschisis.
- To explore the potential impact of maternal generation on infant malformations.
Main Methods:
- A hypothesis was formulated suggesting a maternal birth cohort effect (women born 1953-1955).
- Computer simulations were employed to model and test the proposed hypothesis against recorded data.
Main Results:
- The computer simulation indicated that the maternal birth cohort hypothesis could, at least partially, account for the observed increase in gastroschisis.
- This suggests a potential generational influence on the occurrence of gastroschisis.
Conclusions:
- The maternal birth cohort, specifically women born between 1953-1955, is proposed as a significant factor in the increased prevalence of gastroschisis in Sweden.
- Further research is warranted to validate this hypothesis and understand the underlying mechanisms.
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