Spina bifida and parental occupation: Results from three malformation monitoring programs in Europe

As the evidence for an association between spina bifida and parental agricu ltural occupations is inconclusive, we evaluated this association and the p otential associations between spina bifida and other parental occupations. Three register-based case-referent studies were conducted in Sweden, Spain, and Hungary. From the registries of congenital malformations in each count ry, 482, 478, and 1119 cases with spina bifida were identified, respectivel y. Identified as referents were 964, 434, and 1489 children without abnorma lities. Information on parental occupation was available in the registries from questionnaires or interviews conducted among the parents. Occupations with a potential for physical or chemical exposure were compared to non-exp osed occupations. Increased odds ratios (ORs) were observed for women in ag ricultural occupations in Sweden (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 0.8-4.2) and in Spain (O R: 2.2, 95% CI: 0.8-5.9), but not in Hungary (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7-1.7). Se veral other parental occupations were analysed, but the associations with s pina bifida were inconsistent. Concluding, the results are not totally cons istent but point to an increased risk of spina bifida among women in agricu ltural occupations.