A possible association between maternal otitis media and ear defect in their offspring

BackgroundThe possible association between otitis media in pregnancy (OMP) and structural birth defects, that is, congenital abnormalities (CAs), in their offspring has not been studied.MethodsThe data set of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980 and 1996, was evaluated.ResultsThere were 58 (0.25%) and 55 (0.14%) of 22 843 cases and 38 151 controls with mothers who had OMP, respectively. There was association of OMP and a higher risk of ear CA.ConclusionsA possible explanation for the association of OMP with higher risk of ear CA may be some morphological deviation of the inner ear.