Risk of congenital anomalies near potentially hazardous sites in Malta

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether mothers residing close to the Maghtab landfill site or the Marsa Power Station had greater risks of babies with congenital anomalies than the rest of the population in the Maltese islands. Method: Retrospective analysis of data regarding babies with congenital anomalies (n=1104) out of a total of 28,222 births in the Maltese Islands from 1994 to 1999, subdivided into incrementing one-kilometre zones defined around the sites. Prevalence and standardized ratios were calculated for the proximal two-kilometre zones around each site relative to the more distal zones. Results: There was a higher prevalence of babies with congenital anomalies in the two-kilometre zone around the Maghtab landfill (6.8 %; 95%CI 4.1 - 11.0) as compared to 3.9% (95%CI: 3.7 - 4.1) for the rest of the population. The difference was marginally significant. The standardized ratio, adjusted for maternal age and socioeconomic status relative to the rest of the population was 1.74 (95% CI: 0.95-2.92). There were also significantly higher prevalences of congenital cardiac anomalies (P=0.03) and cleft lip / palate (p=0.02). There were no differences in the prevalence of congenital anomalies in the zones around the Marsa Power station but foetal deaths among babies with congenital anomalies were significantly higher in the proximal 2Km zone (p=01.006). Conclusions: The study showed that there could be a slightly increased risk of babies with congenital anomalies for mothers residing close to the Maghtab landfill and an increased frequency of foetal deaths among babies with anomalies in mothers living close to the Marsa power station.