DDE, a Degradation Product of DDT, and Duration of Lactation in a Highly Exposed Area of Mexico

Abstract

BackgroundHigher levels of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), the major degradation product of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), have been related to shorter duration of breast-feeding in previous studies. If DDE truly shortens lactation, this has public health importance regarding infant mortality and the use of DDT for malaria control.ObjectiveOur aim was to assess the relationship of maternal DDE concentrations with length of subsequent lactation.MethodsWe conducted a relatively large study in a highly exposed area of Mexico. We followed 784 mother–son pairs to determine length of lactation. DDE and DDT were measured in maternal serum obtained within a day of delivery. We fit proportional hazard models with and without stratifying by previous breast-feeding, because an association of DDE with duration of lactation among those who breast-fed previously could be attributed to a noncausal mechanism.ResultsCompared with those with DDE concentrations ≤ 3.00 μg/g, the adjusted hazard ratios of weaning according to DDE category were, for concentrations 3.01–6.00 μg/g, 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.55]; for concentrations 6.01–9.00 μg/g, 1.23 (95% CI, 0.92–1.63); and for concentrations > 9.00 μg/g, 1.17 (95% CI, 0.92–1.49). The corresponding ratios for women who previously breast-fed were 1.40 (95% CI, 1.06–1.87); 1.91 (95% CI, 1.24–2.93); and 1.76 (95% CI, 1.22–2.53). Those for women who had not breast-fed previously were 1.14 (95% CI, 0.86–1.52); 0.90 (95% CI, 0.61–1.31); and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.66–1.26).ConclusionsData from our relatively large study in a highly exposed area of Mexico did not support the hypothesis that exposure to DDE shortens length of lactation. The association seen in women who previously breast-fed was likely attributed to a noncausal mechanism. Nonetheless, whether DDT has other important adverse effects on humans is still an open question.

High levels of DDT in breast milk: Intake, risk, lactation duration, and involvement of gender

“…2C, and section 3.4). The levels reported here are the highest yet used to investigate the effect of DDT on duration of lactation that we could find (inter alia Rogan and Gladen, 1985;Gladen and Rogan, 1995;Kostyniak et al, 1999;Weldon et al, 2006;Cupul-Uicab et al, 2008). Fig.…”

“…DDT might reduce (Rogan and Gladen, 1985;Rogan et al, 1987;Gladen and Rogan, 1995;Kostyniak et al, 1999), lengthen (Weldon et al, 2006) or have no effect (Cupul-Uicab et al, 2008) on duration of lactation, due to the endocrine disruptive properties of DDT isomers and breakdown products (Wetterauer et al, 2012). The levels of DDT in SA are exceedingly high -the highest yet measured was 59.3 mg/kg ΣDDT mf (milk fat) (Bouwman et al, 1990a).…”

Prenatal exposure to p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT in relation to lower respiratory tract infections in boys from a highly exposed area of Mexico

“…The present analysis was based on a birth cohort of mothers and their singleton newborn sons from the State of Chiapas, Mexico; the cohort has been described in detail previously (Cupul-Uicab et al 2008; Cupul-Uicab et al 2010). Briefly, 870 healthy newborn males (born at term with normal birth weight) and their mothers were enrolled between 2002 and 2003 at the time of delivery.…”

“…Women and their sons were visited at their homes from January 2004 to June 2005 to ascertain the duration of lactation. At that time we also obtained information on growth and health status of the children; the follow-up rate was 91% (Cupul-Uicab et al 2008). Because the initial study hypothesis was related to the potential androgen-blocking effects of DDT, only boys were enrolled.…”

Maternal concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and duration of breastfeeding

“…dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (29,30). Women who previously breastfed longer are more likely to do so again (31,32), and longer lactation would reduce concentrations of PFOS and PFOA by excreting them into breast milk (27,(33)(34)(35).…”