High prevalence of gastroschisis in Brazilian triple side border: A socioenvironmental spatial analysis

This research investigated the spatial association between socioenvironmental factors and gastroschisis in Brazilian triple side border. A geographic analysis for gastroschisis prevalence was performed considering census sector units using Global Moran Index, Local Indicator of Spatial Association Analysis and Getis Ord statistics. Sociodemographic factors included rate of adolescent and parturients over 35 years; population with no income and above 5 minimum wages; rate of late prenatal; and proximity to power transmission lines. Logistic regression models were applied to verify the association between socio-environmental factors and prevalence of gastroschisis. No global spatial correlation was observed in the distribution of gastroschisis (Moran´s I = 0.006; p = 0.319). However, multiple logistic regression showed census sectors with positive cases had higher probability to power transmission lines proximity (OR 3,47; CI 95% 1,11–10,79; p = 0,031). Yet, spatial scan statistic showed low risk for gastroschisis in southern city region (OR = 0; p = 0.035) in opposite to power transmission lines location. The study design does not allow us to attest the causality between power transmission lines and gastroschisis but these findings support the potential exposure risk of pregnant to electromagnetic fields.