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Parental occupations as risk factors for craniosynostosis in offspring
C M Bradley1, B W Alderman, M A Williams
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Insights
Paternal occupations in agriculture, forestry, and mechanics/repair were linked to increased infant craniosynostosis risk. Maternal occupations showed no significant associations in this case-control study.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Epidemiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Infant craniosynostosis is a birth defect involving premature fusion of skull sutures.
- The etiology of craniosynostosis is often unknown, prompting investigation into environmental and occupational risk factors.
- Understanding parental occupational exposures may reveal preventable causes of this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal and paternal occupations and the risk of infant craniosynostosis.
- To identify specific occupational groups that may pose a risk for developing craniosynostosis in infants.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study design was employed.
- Cases included 212 infants with radiographically confirmed craniosynostosis (1986-1989).
- Controls comprised 291 infants randomly selected from birth records, frequency-matched to cases. Telephone interviews collected parental occupation data during pregnancy and preconception periods.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between maternal occupations and infant craniosynostosis.
- Paternal occupations in agriculture and forestry were associated with a moderately increased odds ratio (OR=2.3).
- Paternal occupations as mechanics and repairmen also showed a moderately increased odds ratio (OR=2.7), with higher risks observed for males.
Conclusions:
- Paternal occupational exposures in specific sectors, namely agriculture/forestry and mechanics/repair, may be associated with an increased risk of infant craniosynostosis.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore potential biological mechanisms.
- The study highlights the importance of considering paternal occupational exposures in the etiology of craniosynostosis.
Abstract:
In a population-based case-control study, we examined relations between maternal and paternal occupations and the risk of infant craniosynostosis. Cases were 212 children born to Colorado residents and diagnosed during 1986-1989 with radiographically confirmed synostosis of unknown etiology. Controls were 291 children randomly selected from state birth records and frequency matched to cases on month and year of birth. Trained staff conducted telephone interviews of mothers of case and control children. Information was obtained about each job held by either parent during the pregnancy, and any job that the father held during the 3 months before the last menstrual period before conception. Jobs were coded using 1980 Census occupation and industry codes. We found no strong associations for maternal occupations. Of paternal occupations, two groups were associated with moderately increased odds ratios after adjustment for maternal smoking and altitude: agriculture and forestry (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-5.2), and mechanics and repairmen (odds ratio = 2.7; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-6.1). For both, the odds ratios were higher for males.
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