Table 2.
Odds ratios for logistic regression and the Bayesian logistic regression for maternal occupations during the critical period# significantly associated with birth defects with at least 5 exposed cases, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2004.
| Occupation | Exposed cases * | Exposed controls§ | Birth Defect | Logistic Regression aOR (95%CI)‡ | Bayesian aOR (95%CI)‡ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | |||||
| Nurses | 31 | 415 | Hydrocephalus | 1.92 (1.27, 2.90) | 1.87 (1.25, 2.81) |
| 73 | LVOTO | 1.36 (1.03, 1.78) | 1.35 (1.03, 1.77) | ||
| 34 | Transverse limb deficiency | 1.47 (1.00, 2.16) | 1.45 (0.99, 2.11) | ||
| Cleaners | |||||
| Janitors | 7 | 19 | Anorectal atresia | 3.75 (1.51, 9.31) | 3.02 (1.27, 7.16) |
| 22 | Oral clefts | 2.72 (1.44, 5.14) | 2.50 (1.36, 4.58) | ||
| 14 | Cleft lip w/wo cleft palate | 2.51 (1.23, 5.15) | 2.28 (1.15, 4.50) | ||
| 8 | Cleft palate | 3.26 (1.39, 7.65) | 2.64 (1.18, 5.91) | ||
| 6 | Esophageal atresia | 5.49 (2.10, 14.32) | 3.99 (1.58, 10.08) | ||
| 15 | Septal defects | 2.40 (1.16, 4.97) | 2.19 (1.10, 4.36) | ||
| Maids | 28 | 89 | Neural tube defects | 1.77 (1.13, 2.77) | 1.72 (1.10, 2.67) |
| 12 | Anencephaly | 2.73 (1.41, 5.28) | 2.44 (1.29, 4.63) | ||
| 16 | Anotia/Microtia | 2.84 (1.56, 5.16) | 2.62 (1.46, 4.69) | ||
| 20 | Cleft palate | 1.85 (1.09, 3.14) | 1.77 (1.06, 2.97) | ||
| 11 | Esophageal atresia | 2.21 (1.13, 4.30) | 2.04 (1.07, 3.90) | ||
| Scientists | |||||
| Biological | 8 | 41 | Spina bifida | 2.22 (1.02, 4.84) | 2.00 (0.95, 4.24) |
| Chemical | 7 | 12 | Conotruncal defects | 2.96 (1.14, 7.67) | 2.44 (1.01, 5.91) |
| 6 | Neural tube defects | 3.25 (1.19, 8.86) | 2.56 (1.01, 6.55) | ||
| Engineers | 8 | 10 | Conotruncal defects | 4.55 (1.76, 11.75) | 3.48 (1.45, 8.37) |
| Teachers | |||||
| Preschool | 5 | 39 | Cataract | 3.44 (1.29, 9.19) | 2.70 (1.05, 6.94) |
| 21 | Cleft lip w/wo cleft palate | 1.73 (1.02, 2.94) | 1.68 (1.00, 2.81) | ||
| Non-preschool | 85 | 293 | Oral clefts | 0.76 (0.59, 0.98) | 0.76 (0.59, 0.98) |
| 49 | Cleft lip w/wo cleft palate | 0.68 (0.49, 0.93) | 0.66 (0.50, 0.94) | ||
| 10 | Gastroschisis | 0.50 (0.25, 0.97) | 0.53 (0.29, 0.99) | ||
| Personal service | |||||
| Child care | 5 | 96 | Encephalocele | 2.99 (1.15, 7.82) | 2.48 (0.99, 6.24) |
| Entertainment | 6 | 14 | Gastroschisis | 4.50 (1.58, 12.79) | 3.30 (1.25, 8.70) |
Abbreviations: aOR=adjusted odds ratio; 95%CI= 95% confidence interval; LVOTO= left ventricular outflow tract heart defects; w/wo=with or without
Critical period= one month prior through the end of the third pregnancy month
Only cases associated with at least 5 exposures are presented
For each occupational group, the number of controls is the same across all defect analyses.
Adjusted for mother’s age at delivery, maternal education, maternal race/ethnicity, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, study center, maternal pre-gestational diabetes status, folic acid intake, smoking status, and alcohol use