Organochlorine pesticide residues in maternal blood, cord blood, placenta, and breastmilk and their relation to birth size

► There is no placental barrier against transfer of organochlorine pesticides across the maternal-fetal axis. ► Transplacentally transferred organochlorine pesticides are associated with a reduced birth size of the offspring. ► Amongst the organochlorine pesticides, HCH was most consistently associated with decreased birth size of the neonate.