title: Evaluation of age, breed, and gender as risk factors for umbilical hernia in horses of a hospital population.
abstract: Age, breed, and gender distributions of 168 horses with umbilical hernia treated at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine were analyzed to determine risk factors for this disease. For the 3 breeds that constituted the largest proportion of hospital and case populations, Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse, the overall ratio of females to males was 1.63. In a hospital population of the same age group, 0 to 48 months, the female to male ratio was 0.93. Compared with males, females were at significantly higher risk for umbilical hernia after adjustment for breed and age (odds ratio, 2.01; 99% confidence interval, 1.31 to 3.10; P = 0.00002). Of the 2 major breeds, Thoroughbreds were at greater risk than Standardbreds for umbilical hernia, after adjustment for gender and age (odds ratio, 1.80; 99% confidence interval, 1.10 to 2.95; P = 0.0020). The results provide information about a common congenital defect in horses that can be used for future genetic research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors