Prenatal exposure to 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE) in relation to child growth

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relation between prenatal 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE) exposure (a metabolite of the insecticide DDT) and child growth during the first 7 years of life. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: 1712 children born between 1959 and 1966 with measured p,p′-DDE concentrations in their mother's serum samples from pregnancy. Setting Multicenter US Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP). Results: The highest prenatal concentrations of p, p′-DDE (≥60 μg/l), as compared with the lowest (<15 μg/l), were associated with decreased height at age 1 year [adjusted coefficient (SE) = -0.72 cm (0.37), n = 1540], 4 years [-1.14 cm (0.56), n = 1289], and 7 years [-2.19 (0.46), n = 1371]. Among subjects in lower categories of exposure no association was observed. Conclusions: The findings suggest that high prenatal exposure to p,p′-DDE decreases height in children. Impaired growth may be a general indicator of toxicity and suggests that specific organ systems (e.g. endocrine) could be affected. © 2006 Oxford University Press.