Association between environmental risk factor exposure in the first trimester and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate: a case-control study / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the environmental risk factors during the first trimester responsible for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate to collect data for prevention of this congenital defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A hospital-based case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors by means of field investigation with standardized questionnaires. Single factor analysis and logistic regression of the data are performed using SPSS 13.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multifactorial analysis revealed that folic acid was significantly associated with lowered incidence of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR=0.100, 95%CI 0.032-0.312), whereas maternal infection (OR=4.155, 95%CI 2.166-7.970), poisonous chemical exposure (OR=6.816, 95%CI 2.528-18.381) and emotional stress (OR=3.250, 95%CI 1.477-7.154) were risk factors for this defect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sufficient follic acid intake and prevention of infection and poisonous chemical exposure during the first trimester are measures to reduce the risks of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.</p>