Table 3: Matched Analysis of Cases with Congenital Abnormalities (CAs) and Controls without CA to Estimate the Association Between hCG Treatment During the Second and/or Third Month of Pregnancy and the Risk of Different CA

Study Groups Grand Total hCG Crude Adjusted
N No. % OR (95%CI) OR* (95% CI)
Total controls 38,151 97 0.3 Reference Reference
Isolated CAs
Neural-tube defects 1,202 6 0.5 2.6 (0.7 – 9.6) 2.7 (0.7 – 9.8)
Cleft lip± palate 1,374 7 0.5 2.7 (0.8 – 9.4) 2.7 (0.8 – 9.9)
Hypospadias 3,038 12 0.4 1.5 (0.7 – 3.3) 1.7 (0.8 – 3.8)
Undescended testis 2,051 3 0.2 0.5 (0.1 – 2.1) 0.5 (0.1 – 2.1)
Exomphalos/Gastroschisis 238 3 1.3 2.0 (0.3 – 12.3) 2.5 (0.4 – 16.0)
Cardiovascular CAs 4,479 15 0.3 1.4 (0.7 – 2.8) 1.5 (0.8 – 3.1)
Clubfoot 2,424 3 0.1 0.4 (0.1 – 1.4) 0.4 (0.1 – 1.6)
Limb deficiencies 548 5 0.9 3.7 (0.7 – 19.7) 5.3 (0.9 – 28.3)
Poly/syndactyly 1,744 5 0.3 0.8 (0.3 – 2.5) 1.0 (0.3 – 3.2)
Other isolated CAs 4,376 16** 0.4 1.4 (0.6 - 3.1) 1.5 (0.8 - 3.5)
Multiple CAs 1,349 8 0.6 2.6 (0.9 – 7.6) 2.8 (0.9 – 8.2)
Total cases 22,843 83 0.4 1.4 (1.1 – 1.9) 1.6 (1.2 – 2.1)

* matched OR adjusted for maternal age, birth order, employment status, other drug uses and folic acid use during pregnancy in conditional logistic regression model.
** rectal/anal atresia/stenosis in 2 cases, esophageal atresia, renal agenesis, urethral valve stenosis (obstructive CA of urinary tract), primary microcephaly, congenital hydrocephaly, congenital cataract, congenital pyloric stenosis, atresia of bile duct, diaphragmatic CA, absence of vertebra, congenital cystic lung, ankyloglossia, giant kidney, torticollis in 1-1 case. Bold numbers show significant associations.