Abstract
Background: Prenatal exposure to pesticides can adversely affect fetal health. This study aims to measure levels of some pesticides in meconium obtained from newborns whose mothers were exposed to pesticides, and to identify the effect of maternal exposure to pesticides on neonatal weight. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. It was carried out on 190 cases (106 exposed and 84 non-exposed to pesticides). Nine pesticides (pretilachlor, DDT, lindane, chloropyrifos, diazinon, malathion, bioallethrin, α cyprmethrin and β cyfluthrin) were detected by Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Results: The frequencies of pesticides detection in the samples were: 54.7%, 57.4%, 50%, 35.8%, 53.7%, 49.5%, 34.7%, 41.1% and 21.5% respectively. Those who reported prenatal exposure to pesticides were four times more likely to work in agricultural work (OR=4.5, 95% CI= 2.1- 9.8). Moreover, those who reported prenatal exposure to pesticides were 1.6 times more likely to have babies with low birth weight (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.2 - 6.3). Conclusions: Agricultural pregnant workers in our community were significantly more exposed to several types of pesticides and this was associated with impaired fetal growth.
Highlights
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common complication of pregnancy, affecting nearly 5-10% of newborns and is associated with increased infant mortality as well as childhood morbidity
Logistic regression model for exposure to pesticides among the studied groups The final logistic regression model for exposure to pesticides among studied group was described in (Table 6). This model included work and birth weight. Those who reported prenatal exposure to pesticides were four times more likely to work in agricultural work (OR=4.5, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs)= 2.1- 9.8)
The aim of our study was to determine fetal exposure to environmental pesticides in our community by measuring its levels in the meconium, to identify infants who are at risk at birth, and to identify whether exposure to pesticides might adversely influence the weight of the fetus
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common complication of pregnancy, affecting nearly 5-10% of newborns and is associated with increased infant mortality as well as childhood morbidity. Environmental pollutants, oxidative stress and interaction between pollutant, free radicals and cellular system play an important role in reproductive toxicology and development of IUGR [1]. Developmental diseases such as birth defects, IUGR, and preterm delivery, account for more than 25% of infant mortality and morbidity [2]. Common risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, older maternal age, and low socioeconomic status cause adverse fetal development [3]. This study aims to measure levels of some pesticides in meconium obtained from newborns whose mothers were exposed to pesticides, and to identify the effect of maternal exposure to pesticides on neonatal weight
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