Use of biocides and insect repellents and risk of hypospadias.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between the use of biocides and insect repellents and the risk of hypospadias was examined in a large case-control study in the South East of England.


METHODS
A case-control study was carried out among 471 cases of hypospadias referred to surgeons, and 490 randomly selected population-based controls, born between 1 January 1997 and 30 September 1998. Telephone interviews were conducted between September 2000 and March 2003. The questionnaire included information on demographic, lifestyle and environmental factors, including the use of biocides and insect repellents, during pregnancy. A total biocide score was created from summing positive responses to an eight-item biocide exposure questionnaire.


RESULTS
The use of insect repellent (adjusted OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.11) during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with risk of hypospadias, but none of the biocides, or indicators for them, except for the total biocide score for the highest two exposure categories (score 3: adjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.94; and scores 4 and 5 combined: adjusted OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.01 to 8.78) showed statistically significant associations.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors found an association between the use of insect repellent and total biocide score and risk of hypospadias. In particular, the use of insect repellent warrants further investigation, specifically in relation to type, content and frequency of use since this information was missing in the current study.
Dugas
J
J
Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, C. Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Nieuwenhuijsen
M J
MJ
Martinez
D
D
Iszatt
N
N
Nelson
P
P
Elliott
P
P
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D004202:Disinfectants; D007302:Insect Repellents