Adenovirus and RSV infections during pregnancy and their relationship to orofacial clefts

This article reports the relationship between prenatal respiratory infections such as human respiratory adenovirus (HRAV) and/or human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and orofacial clefts (OFC). Specific antibodies against HRAV and HRSV were investigated serologically (ELISA) in newborns with orofacial cleft and their mothers. The results were compared with those obtained from healthy newborns (controls) and their mothers. Statistical evaluation revealed significant changes in HRAV IgA antibodies between mothers of children with OFC and mothers with healthy newborns. HRSV antibodies of newborns with OFC were changed only marginaly (p = 0.0665) compared to controls. Our results indicate possible involvement of HRSV and HRAV in congenital orofacial defects, however these results have to be confirmed in larger scale study.