Parents’ employment and non-chromosomal congenital anomalies in Korea: a national population cohort study

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the association between parents’ employment status, including industrial classification, and non-chromosomal congenital anomalies in offspring. METHODS: We analyzed data from mothers who delivered live births between 2020 and 2022, linking their records with those of their neonates from the National Health Information Service (NHIS) database. Our analysis focused on common industrial classifications representing at least 6% of the total workforce. Congenital anomalies were identified based on neonates’ diagnostic codes. We conducted logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of congenital anomalies by the industrial classification of mothers and their partners, adjusting for individual risk factors, with the financial industry serving as the reference category. RESULTS: Among 338,637 women with a live birth, 148,818 (43.9%) were employed at the time of pregnancy. Employment was associated with a higher risk of congenital anomalies (OR, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.12). Within the common industrial classifications, health and social work exhibited the highest risk (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.22) compared to the financial industry. Women employed in general hospitals showed particularly elevated risks (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.37). Among male partners, the risk estimates were generally imprecise. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that certain industries are linked with a higher risk of congenital anomalies among women workers. These findings underscore the need for enhanced safety measures in high-risk industrial settings to reduce the occurrence of congenital anomalies.