Relation between pesticide exposure and intrauterine growth retardation.
The increased use of organophosphorus insecticides in agriculture and their widespread existence in the environment poses a potential health hazard. To determine the relationship between exposure to pesticides and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), live newborns from singleton pregnancies, with (n = 79) and without (n = 292) IUGR were studied. During the gestational period the mothers were living in agricultural communities in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Exposure to agrochemical products was evaluated. A significant association between the history of positive exposure to pesticides (i.e. the women themselves or their newborns who showed acetylcholinesterase activity levels lower than 20%) and the presence of IUGR was found. The proportions of exposure in the cases were 18% and 8% in the control group; the adjusted OR (fat free mass, anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies and placental weight) was 2.33 (p = 0.04).
Levario-Carrillo
Margarita
M
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia IMSS, Av. División del Norte 2300 CH 44-228, Colonia Altavista, CP 31320 Chihuahua, México. mlevario@lycos.com
Amato
Dante
D
Ostrosky-Wegman
Patricia
P
González-Horta
Carmen
C
Corona
Yolanda
Y
Sanin
Luz Helena
LH
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008800:Mexico; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011247:Pregnancy
D000906:Antibodies; D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase