Precurrence risk of birth defects in Hawaii

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to describe the risk of selected types of birth defects among older siblings of infants and fetuses with specific birth defects. Using data from a population-based birth defects registry in Hawaii for deliveries during 1986-2000, the precurrence risk (risk among older siblings) for any major birth defect, birth defects of the same organ system, and same specific birth defect were calculated for nine major organ systems and 54 specific birth defects. The precurrence risk of any major birth defect (3.5%) was substantially less than the risk of any major birth defect among the entire population (4.7%). The precurrence risk of a birth defect of the same organ system was significantly higher than the reference rate for six (67%) of the major organ systems and eight (15%) of the specific birth defects. The precurrence risk of the same birth defect was substantially elevated for 15 (28%) of the specific birth defects. Precurrence risk of any major birth defect was not elevated, but tended to be lower than expected. However, for several categories, precurrence risk of birth defects of the same organ system or the same specific birth defect was substantially elevated.