Results
Macrolide exposure was recorded for 307 cases, 72 non-genetic controls, 57 genetic controls. AOR for CHD was not significantly raised (AOR 0.94, 95%CI: 0.70 – 1.26 vs non-genetic controls; AOR 1.01, 95%CI: 0.73 – 1.41 vs genetic controls), nor significantly raised for any specific macrolide. The risk of atrioventricular septal defect was significantly raised with exposure to any macrolide (AOR 2.98; 95%CI: 1.48 – 6.01), erythromycin (AOR 3.68, 95%CI: 1.28 – 10.61), and azithromycin (AOR 4.50, 95%CI: 1.30 – 15.58). Erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and clindamycin, were also associated with an increased risk of at least one other CA. Meta-analysis gave an overall CHD OR 1.14, 95%CI 0.90 –1.49 for macrolides.