Hypospadias: a transgenerational effect of diethylstilbestrol?
BACKGROUND
In 2002, an increased risk of hypospadias was reported for sons of women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, suggesting transgenerational effects of DES. The aim of this study was to further assess the association between parental DES exposure and hypospadias in a case-referent study.


METHODS
Cases with hypospadias were retrieved from the hospital information system. Referents were recruited via the parents of cases. Both parents completed postal questionnaires. Associations were estimated by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Additionally, conditional logistic regression analyses were performed for a matched subset of parents.


RESULTS
The final database included 583 cases and 251 referents. In the initial analyses, an indication was found for an increased risk of hypospadias when mothers were exposed to DES in utero: OR=2.3 (95% CI 0.7-7.9). Conditional logistic regression resulted in a stronger risk estimate: OR=4.9 (95% CI 1.1-22.3). Paternal exposure to DES did not increase the risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm an increased risk of hypospadias when mothers were exposed to DES in utero. However, the excess risk appears to be of much smaller magnitude than in the 2002 study. Further research on the potential health risks for the third generation is of great importance.
Brouwers
M M
MM
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (133), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O.Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. M.Brouwers@epib.umcn.nl
Feitz
W F J
WF
Roelofs
L A J
LA
Kiemeney
L A L M
LA
de Gier
R P E
RP
Roeleveld
N
N
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol