Authors’ Reply to Sibel Yöntem and Colleagues’ Comment on “Indigenous Medicine Use for Sex Selection During Pregnancy and Risk of Congenital Malformations: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Haryana, India”

ABSTRACT An increasing incidence of congenital malformations (CMF) has been reported in India. Objective To ascertain the determinants of CMF. Methodology This hospital based age-sex matched pair case control study was done at advanced pediatric center (APC), obstetrics and gynecology department (ANC clinic, maternity ward, labor room, etc.) and special clinics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India in 2008. The mothers were interviewed to collect information about risk factors. Results Two hundred three CMF (under five children and gestational CMF) cases and same number of controls were studied. Significant association of CMF was observed with the use of sex selection drugs by mothers (OR = 4.35), habits of fathers like taking alcohol (OR = 3), smoking (OR = 4.5) and using tobacco (OR = 2.7). Mother's age at marriage < 18 years and history of abortion were also important predictors of CMF. Conclusion Most of the risk factors for CMF were avoidable viz. addiction, early marriage and use of sex selection drugs. People need to be educated about this. How to cite this article Singh A, Sinha S. Risk Factors of Congenital Malformations in North India: A Case Control Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(1):22-27.

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Risk Factors of Congenital Malformations in North India: A Case—control Study

Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Education and Research ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1194 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 59-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Smita Sinha

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Congenital Malformations ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Sex Selection ◽

Early Marriage ◽

North India ◽

Matched Pair ◽

Mother’S Age ◽

Control Study

ABSTRACT An increasing incidence of congenital malformations (CMF) has been reported in India. Background and objective To ascertain the determinants of congenital malformations. Materials and methods This hospital based age-sex matched pair case control study was done at Advanced Pediatric Centre, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department (ANC clinic, Maternity ward, labor room, etc.) and Special Clinics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India in 2008. The mothers were interviewed to collect information about risk factors. Results Two hundred three CMF (under five children and gestational CMF) cases and same number of controls were studied. Significant association of CMF was observed with the use of sex selection drugs by mothers (OR = 4.35), habits of fathers like taking alcohol (OR = 3), smoking (OR = 4.5) and using tobacco (OR = 2.7). Mother's age at marriage < 18 years and history of abortion were also important predictors of CMF. Conclusion Most of the risk factors for CMF were avoidable viz addiction, early marriage and use of sex selection drugs. People need to be educated about this. How to cite this article Singh A, Sinha S. Risk Factors of Congenital Malformations in North India: A Case—control Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(2):59-63.

Download Full-text