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Excerpts from ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MOTHERS' PRENATAL SMOKING AND INFANT LIMB DEFECTS

Life Sciences & Biotechnology Update, VOL. 98; No. 6 [06/01/98]

This (University of Washington) thesis looks at case-control studies that suggest an association between prenatal smoking and infant limb defects, possibly due to vascular disruption in the embryo.

It has also been suggested that maternal hypertension may be associated with the occurrence of congenital limb defects, either due to the effects of the disease or possibly medications such as the calcium channel blockers used to treat this condition.

Examination of specific types of malformation reveals that maternal smoking is associated with a greater than two-fold increased risk of transverse reduction limb defects. This finding, related to smoking, is consistent with previous studies, and emphasizes the continued need for public health interventions designed to reduce prenatal smoking.

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