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Maternal periconceptional occupational exposure to pesticides and selected musculoskeletal birth defects
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Maternal periconceptional occupational exposure to pesticides and selected musculoskeletal birth defects

Christine Kielb, Shao Lin, Michele Herdt-Losavio, Erin Bell, Bonnie Chapman, Carissa M Rocheleau, Christina Lawson, Martha Waters, Patricia Stewart, Richard S Olney, …
International journal of hygiene and environmental health, Vol.217(2-3), pp.248-254
03/2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.06.003
PMCID: PMC4524544
PMID: 23871272
url
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.06.003View
Open Access

Abstract

This population-based U.S. study investigated the association between major musculoskeletal malformations and periconceptional maternal occupational pesticide exposure for a wide range of occupations. We conducted a multi-site case–control analysis using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study among employed women with due dates from October 1, 1997 through December 31, 2002. Cases included 871 live-born, stillborn, or electively terminated fetuses with isolated craniosynostosis, gastroschisis, diaphragmatic hernia, or transverse limb deficiencies. Controls included 2857 live-born infants without major malformations. Using self-reported maternal occupational information, an industrial hygienist used a job-exposure matrix and expert opinion to evaluate the potential for exposure to insecticides, herbicides or fungicides for each job held during one month pre-conception through three months post-conception. Exposures analyzed included any exposure (yes/no) to pesticides, to insecticides only, to both insecticides and herbicides (I+H) and to insecticides, herbicides and fungicides (I+H+F). We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between exposures and defects, controlling for infant and maternal risk factors. Occupational exposure to I+H+F was associated with gastroschisis among infants of women aged 20 years or older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–3.05), but not for women under age 20 (aOR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.20–1.16). We found no significant associations for the other defects. Additional research is needed to validate these findings in a separate population.
Diaphragmatic hernia Gastroschisis Maternal occupational exposure Transverse limb deficiencies Craniosynostosis Pesticides

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