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Maternal periconceptional occupational pesticide exposure and neural tube defects
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Maternal periconceptional occupational pesticide exposure and neural tube defects

Jennifer A Makelarski, Paul A Romitti, Carissa M Rocheleau, Trudy L Burns, Patricia A Stewart, Martha A Waters, Christina C Lawson, Erin M Bell, Shao Lin, Gary M Shaw, …
Birth defects research. A Clinical and molecular teratology, Vol.100(11), pp.877-886
11/2014
DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23293
PMCID: PMC4523060
PMID: 25124525
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4523060View
Open Access

Abstract

Adverse associations between maternal pesticide exposure and neural tube defects (NTDs) have been suggested but not consistently observed. This study used data from the multisite National Birth Defects Prevention Study to examine associations between maternal periconceptional (1 month preconception through 2 months postconception) occupational pesticide exposure and NTDs. Mothers of 502 NTD cases and 2950 unaffected live-born control infants with estimated delivery dates from 1997 through 2002 were included. Duration, categorical intensity scores, and categorical frequency scores for pesticide classes (e.g., insecticides) were assigned using a modified, literature-based job-exposure matrix and maternal-reported occupational histories. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated based on fitted multivariable logistic regression models that described associations between maternal periconceptional occupational pesticide exposure and NTDs. The aORs were estimated for pesticide exposure (any [yes/no] and cumulative exposure [intensity × frequency × duration] to any pesticide class, each pesticide class, or combination of pesticide classes) and all NTD cases combined and NTD subtypes. Positive, but marginally significant or nonsignificant, aORs were observed for exposure to insecticides + herbicides for all NTD cases combined and for spina bifida alone. Similarly, positive aORs were observed for any exposure and cumulative exposure to insecticides + herbicides + fungicides and anencephaly alone and encephalocele alone. All other aORs were near unity. Pesticide exposure associations varied by NTD subtype and pesticide class. Several aORs were increased, but not significantly. Future work should continue to examine associations between pesticide classes and NTD subtypes using a detailed occupational pesticide exposure assessment and examine pesticide exposures outside the workplace.
 Pregnancy United States - epidemiology Anencephaly - etiology Encephalocele - epidemiology Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - epidemiology Humans Male Educational Status Maternal Exposure - statistics & numerical data Case-Control Studies Occupational Exposure - prevention & control Adult Female Retrospective Studies Odds Ratio Infant, Newborn Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data Risk Factors Neural Tube Defects - epidemiology Neural Tube Defects - etiology Anencephaly - epidemiology Encephalocele - etiology Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - etiology Social Class Pesticides - toxicity Pesticides - classification Maternal Exposure - prevention & control

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