Congenital limb deficiency: maternal factors in pregnancy.

Maternal factors in pregnancy were examined in a case-control study of 155 children with limb deficiencies (longitudinal and transverse) born 1970-1981 inclusive and 274 matched normal controls. Vomiting of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of longitudinal limb reduction defects. Gestational bleeding has long been known for its association with perinatal mortality, low birth-weight and prematurity; limb deficiencies have also been noted. In the present study the pattern of bleeding differed between women in the transverse and longitudinal groups, with the possibility of a causal role for bleeding in the aetiology of longitudinal but not transverse defects. There was a significant statistical risk associated with respiratory infections comparable with the reported association of congenital limb deficiency and influenza from Finland.