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BMC Oral Health
Published in: BMC Oral Health 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | COVID-19 | Research

COVID-19 related risk factors and their association with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five Arab countries: a case-control study

Authors: Heba Jafar Sabbagh, Rana A. Alamoudi, Mohammad Zeinalddin, Taimoor Al Bulushi, Ola B. Al-Batayneh, Mamdouh A. AboulHassan, Mohamed Koraitim, Maryam Quritum, Buthaina Almuqbali, Sultan Musaad Alghamdi, Shaimaa Mohsen Refahee, Lateefa Alkharafi, Fatemah Fahad Taqi, Bader Albassam, Mariam Ayed, Alia Embaireeg, Raqiya Alnahdi, Mona Talal AlSharif, Fatma Dawood Abdulhameed, Aziza Johar Aljohar, Najla Sulaiman Alrejaye, Manal Ibrahim Almalik, P S Viswapurna, Tamara Al Halasa, Maha El Tantawi

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

The environmental etiology of non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) is still under research. The aim of this case-control study is to assess COVID-19 associated factors that may be related to the risk of NSOFC in five Arab countries. These factors include COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 symptoms, family member or friends infected with COVID-19, stress, smoking, socioeconomic status and fear of COVID-19.

Methods

The study took place in governmental hospitals in five Arab countries from November 2020 to November 2021. Controls are matched in the month of delivery and site of recruitment. A clinical examination was carried out using LASHAL classification. Maternal exposure to medication, illnesses, supplementation, COVID-19 infection during their pregestation and 1st trimester periods were evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Maternal exposure to stress was assessed using the Life Events scale, fear of covid-19 scale, family member or friend affected with covid-19 infection, pregnancy planning and threatened abortion.

Results

The study recruited 1135 infants (386 NSOFC and 749 controls). Living in urban areas, maternal exposure to medications 3-months pregestation, maternal exposure to any of the prenatal life events and maternal fear of COVID-19 significantly increased the risk of having a child with NSOFC. On the other hand, mothers exposed to supplementation 3-months pregestation, mothers suspected of having COVID-19 infection, family members or friends testing positive with COVID-19 significantly decreased the risk of having a child with NSOFC.

Conclusions

This study suggests that NSOFC may be associated with maternal exposure to lifetime stress and COVID-19 fear in particular, with no direct effect of the COVID-19 infection itself. This highlights the importance of providing psychological support for expecting mothers during stressful events that affect populations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the usual antenatal care.
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Metadata
Title
COVID-19 related risk factors and their association with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five Arab countries: a case-control study
Authors
Heba Jafar Sabbagh
Rana A. Alamoudi
Mohammad Zeinalddin
Taimoor Al Bulushi
Ola B. Al-Batayneh
Mamdouh A. AboulHassan
Mohamed Koraitim
Maryam Quritum
Buthaina Almuqbali
Sultan Musaad Alghamdi
Shaimaa Mohsen Refahee
Lateefa Alkharafi
Fatemah Fahad Taqi
Bader Albassam
Mariam Ayed
Alia Embaireeg
Raqiya Alnahdi
Mona Talal AlSharif
Fatma Dawood Abdulhameed
Aziza Johar Aljohar
Najla Sulaiman Alrejaye
Manal Ibrahim Almalik
P S Viswapurna
Tamara Al Halasa
Maha El Tantawi
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keywords
COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in
BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-02934-y

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