BLOOD PESTICIDE CONCENTRATION IN MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORN INFANTS: Relation to Prematurity

Abstract

An association between high DDT cord blood levels and prematurity was investigated. Pregnant women with good health and nutritional condition, negative history of past occupational exposure to DDT and absence of recent exposure to DDT were investigated as well as their appropriate for gestational age neonates. A total of 54 maternal-infant pairs were studied and divided in two groups: A-term deliveries (30 pairs), B-preterm deliveries (24 pairs). There was no difference in DDT blood levels between pregnant women of both groups. There was, however, a significant difference in DDT cord blood levels between term and preterm infants, as well as between maternal and neonatal blood levels in both groups. DDT cord blood levels correlated negatively with infants' birth weights. We suggest that there is an association between prematurity and high DDT cord blood levels in a non-occupationally exposed population and the amount of fetal adipose tissue is an important factor determining the cord blood level of this pesticide. We cannot rule out a cause-effect association between high DDT cord blood level and prematurity.

Pesticides as a source of developmental disabilities

“…Moreover, organochlorines readily cross the placenta; neonatal blood levels attain about one-third the maternal values. In a study from Brazil, based on a population with a high (44%) incidence of preterm births, Procianoy and Schvartsman [1981] reported significantly higher levels in cord blood of preterm compared to normal term deliveries, but maternal levels did not distinguish preterm from normal births. Saxena et al [1981] noted substantially higher levels of DDT in placental tissue and in maternal blood from premature abortions than from term infants.…”

The Human Health Effects of DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and PCBS (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and an Overview of Organochlorines in Public Health

“…In neither study were case-control differences evident. Data from several small studies (88,97,98) showed cord tissue or cord blood DDT (mostly p,p -DDE) levels were higher in premature infants than in term infants. The importance of these findings, however, is unclear owing to the possibility that the results are confounded by lipid levels or risk factors for prematurity, and because early fetal loss was not assessed in these studies.…”

Delayed Health Hazards of Pesticide Exposure

“…DDT levels were not found to be higher in blood of women who had spontaneous abortions than in those who had normal pregnancies (118). Procianoy & Schvartsman (134) found that mothers of preterm (M=33 wk) and term infants had comparable DDT levels. However, Saxena et al (142) found that women having spontaneous abortions and mothers of premature infants had 10 times the DDT levels of mothers with term infants.…”

“…They suggested that the latter hypothesis is supported by the significant negative correlation of birth weight and DDT levels. However, in a larger study (36) of women and their newborns (n=350), where only 3% of the infants were preterm [compared to 44% in Procianoy & Schvartsman's study (134)], birth weight did not correlate significantly with DDT levels.…”

“…Saxena et al (143) proposed that organo chlorine pesticides are known to have weak estrogenic effects , and may pre cipitate labor. Procianoy & Schvartsman (134) suggested that preterm infants may have an increased placental permeability to DDT; or, more DDT is found in the blood because preterm infants have less adipose tissue. They suggested that the latter hypothesis is supported by the significant negative correlation of birth weight and DDT levels.…”