Smoking during pregnancy and congenital limb deficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To examine genetic and environmental factors in the origin of isolated congenital limb deficiencies.


METHODS
Case-control study with questionnaire at a family interview of cases of isolated congenital limb deficiencies (six types), negative controls (matched for age, sex, and place of residence), and positive controls (cases of sentinel anomalies).


METHODS
The database of the Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry, 1975-84, complemented by three other sources of ascertainment (1,575,904 births).


METHODS
537 case-control pairs; 392 positive controls.


METHODS
Smoking during pregnancy, congenital limb deficiencies.


RESULTS
The adjusted rate of smoking during pregnancy was significantly higher in the mothers of cases of terminal transverse defect (relative odds 1.48; 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 2.23; P = 0.017). This finding supports the hypothesis of vascular disruption as a cause of congenital limb deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal smoking during pregnancy raises the relative odds for terminal transverse limb deficiencies.
Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, National Institute of Hygiene-WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Budapest, Hungary.
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D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D007866:Leg / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors