Case-control study of a gastroschisis cluster in Nevada.
OBJECTIVE
To identify potential risk factors associated with a sudden increase in gastroschisis cases in northern Nevada.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Medical centers and a pregnancy care center in Reno, Nevada.


METHODS
Participants (n = 14) were women who gave birth to infants with gastroschisis at either of the 2 medical centers in Reno, Nevada, from April 5, 2007, through April 4, 2008. Controls (n = 57) were selected from the same pregnancy center providing perinatal care to the cases and were matched 4:1 to the case mothers by maternal date of birth within 1 year.


METHODS
Environmental exposures and illnesses during pregnancy.


METHODS
Association of gastroschisis with illnesses, medications, or environmental exposures.


RESULTS
Gastroschisis was associated with the use of methamphetamine (odds ratio [OR], 7.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-37.99) or any vasoconstrictive recreational drug (methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy) (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.21-16.44) before pregnancy. When we limited self-reported illnesses to those occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy, chest colds (OR, 16.77; 95% CI, 1.88-150.27) and sore throats (OR, 12.72; 95% CI, 1.32-122.52) were associated with gastroschisis.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings add strength to the hypothesis that use of methamphetamine and related drugs is a risk factor for gastroschisis and raise questions about the risks associated with infections.
Elliott
Leslie
L
University of Nevada, School of Community Health Sciences, Lombardi, Reno, NV 89557, USA. lelliott@unr.edu
Loomis
Dana
D
Lottritz
Lisa
L
Slotnick
Robert Nathan
RN
Oki
Earle
E
Todd
Randall
R
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009505:Nevada / Q000453:epidemiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D054199:Pseudoephedrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D054199:Pseudoephedrine