Preterm birth in relation to maternal organochlorine serum levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the associations of serum levels of p,pacute;-DDE and two other persistent organochlorine pesticides, beta-HCH and HCB, in relation to preterm birth.


METHODS
During 1995 we performed a case-cohort study and 233 mothers were recruited at three large maternity hospitals in Mexico City. Serum levels were obtained shortly after delivery.


RESULTS
A non-significant increased risk of preterm birth in relation to serum p,p'-DDE levels was observed. There was also a suggestion of an increased risk of preterm birth among women in the highest tertile of beta-HCH (adjusted odds ratio 1.85, 95% CI = 0.94-3.66, p value for test of trend p = 0.08) compared with the lowest tertile. No association was found between HCB serum levels and preterm births.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that p,pacute;-DDE and other organochlorine pesticides may pose a risk to preterm birth in countries that continue to use such insecticides for malaria control.
Torres-Arreola
Laura
L
Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit, CMN Century XXI, Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
Berkowitz
Gertrud
G
Torres-Sánchez
Luisa
L
López-Cervantes
Malaquías
M
Cebrián
Mariano E
ME
Uribe
Marisela
M
López-Carrillo
Lizbeth
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment
D007306:Insecticides; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene