Pregnancy outcomes among US women Vietnam veterans

Background Since the 1965-1975 Vietnam War there has been persistent concer n that women who served in the U.S. military in Vietnam may have experience d adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods We compared self-reported pregnancy outcomes for 4,140 women Vietna m veterans with those of 4,140 contemporary women veterans who were not dep loyed to Vietnam. As a measure of association, we calculated odds ratios (O R) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression adjusting fo r age at conception, race, education, military nursing status, smoking, dri nking and other exposures during pregnancy. Result There was no statistically significant association between military service in Vietnam and index pregnancies resulting in miscarriage or stillb irth, low birth weight pre-term delivery, or infant death. The risk of havi ng children with "moderate-to-severe " birth defects was significantly elev ated among Vietnam veterans (adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI=1.06-2.02). Conclusion The risk of birth defects among index children was significantly associated with mother's military service in Vietnam. Published 2000 Wiley -Liss, Inc.