Aim of study: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect which results in herniation of abdominal contents. The objective of this study was to determine the maternal risk factors for gastroschisis in Colorado.
Methods: A case-control study was performed using the Birth Registry database from 2007 to 2016. The outcome was gastroschisis, and the main variable was maternal age which was divided into <21, 21-30, and >30 years of age. Descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression was performed.
Results: There were 236 cases of gastroschisis compared to 944 controls. Maternal age did vary significantly between groups (23.4 ± 5 years (cases) vs. 28.7 ± 5.9 years (controls); p < 0.0001). Unadjusted analysis demonstrated that those with young maternal age (<21 years of age) had a 14.14 (95% CI 8.44-23.67) higher odds of gastroschisis compared to those >30 years of age. Independent risk factors for gastroschisis were exposure to prenatal and first trimester cigarettes, prenatal and first trimester alcohol, and chlamydia infection. The odds (4.41, 95% CI 1.36-14.26) of gastroschisis were highest in those with first trimester cigarette exposure and young maternal age (p = 0.03).
Conclusions: Young maternal age, cigarette exposure, alcohol exposure, and chlamydia infection increase the odds of gastroschisis. The interaction between young maternal age and first trimester cigarette exposure significantly increases the odds of gastroschisis.
Type of study: Prognosis Study.
Level of evidence: Level III.
Keywords: Gastroschisis; Risk factor; Young maternal age.
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