Congenital anomalies and other birth outcomes among infants born to women living near a hazardous waste site in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Using data from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database, rates of adverse birth outcomes were compared among residents of Sydney, Nova Scotia and residents of Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia (excluding Sydney) with birth outcomes among residents of the rest of Nova Scotia. There was a small but statistically significant increase in the rate of major congenital anomalies in Sydney (2.8%) compared to the rest of Nova Scotia (2.3%) (adjusted RR=1.25, 95% CI=1.04-1.51). Rates of anomaly sub-groups were consistently elevated in Sydney compared to the rest of Nova Scotia, but most were not statistically significant. For the most part, the increased rates of congenital anomalies observed among residents of Sydney were not evident in the neighbouring community. Since Sydney and the rest of Cape Breton County share a similar risk factor and socio-demographic profile, other factors likely explain the increased rates observed in Sydney.