Oral corticosteroids during pregnancy and offspring risk of congenital heart defects: a nationwide cohort study

Background Pre-pregnancy diabetes is a strong risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHDs), suggesting a role for glucose in the causal pathway. Oral corticosteroids may cause hyperglycemia and maternal use could affect embryonic heart development. The objective of this study was to determine the association between maternal intake of oral corticosteroids 0–8 weeks after conception and CHDs in offspring. Methods A register-based nationwide...