%0 Journal Article
%T COVID-19 vaccine and non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five arab countries. A case-control study.
%A Alamoudi RA
%A Sabbagh HJ
%A Zeinalddin M
%A Al-Batayneh OB
%A Al Bulushi T
%A AboulHassan MA
%A Koraitim M
%A Alkharafi L
%A Almuqbali B
%A Alghamdi SM
%A Bahdila D
%A Refahee SM
%A Quritum M
%A Taqi FF
%A Albassam B
%A Ayed M
%A Embaireeg A
%A Alnahdi R
%A AlSharif MT
%A Aljohar AJ
%A Abdulhameed FD
%A Alrejaye NS
%A Viswapurna PS
%A Al Halasa T
%A Basri OA
%A Bataineh MA
%A Tantawi ME
%J Clin Oral Investig
%V 28
%N 7
%D 2024 Jun 6
%M 38839609
%F 3.606
%R 10.1007/s00784-024-05744-w
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Risk factors for non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOFCs) include genetic profile and environmental exposure to medication and illnesses during pregnancy. We assessed the association between the COVID-19 vaccination and the incidence of NSOFC across five Middle Eastern countries.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This multi-country, hospital-based, case-control study included infants with NSOFCs whose first 3 intrauterine months coincided with the time when pregnant women were allowed to receive COVID-19 vaccination in the countries participating in the study. Newborns with NSOFCs were examined for cleft type and their parents were interviewed for maternal exposures and COVID-19 vaccination. Controls were newborns matched to cases in gender and setting.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The study recruited 977 (348 children with NSOFCs and 629 controls). Maternal use of nicotine (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.437; P = 0.044) and family history of NSOFC (AOR: 11.059; P < 0.001) increased significantly the AOR of having a child with NSOFC. On the other hand, COVID-19 vaccine administration to pregnant mothers have significantly decreased the AOR of having a child with NSOFC (AOR: 0.337; P = 0.006).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study suggests that COVID-19 vaccination is not related to NSOFC and might protect against having a child affected with such a congenital anomaly.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The finding of this study is important for healthcare providers for considering COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant woman. Clear communication and education about the potential risks and benefits would be crucial for informed decision-making. The study's results would directly impact pregnant individuals, as they would need accurate information to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their infants.