Maternal and cord blood levels of organochlorine pesticides: Association with preterm labor

ObjectivesOrganochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been reported to cause adverse reproductive outcomes. Hence, the present study was conducted to estimate and compare the levels of OCPs in maternal and cord blood of preterm labor and full term labor cases as well as assess their role in preterm delivery.Design and methods23 cases each of preterm labor and full term labor were included in the study. Maternal and cord blood OCP levels were determined by using a GC-MS equipped with an electron capture detector.ResultsMaternal and cord blood levels of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, total-HCH, p,p′DDE and p,p′DDT were found higher in preterm labor than full term labor cases. However, a statistically significant relation was observed between preterm birth and β-HCH levels only.ConclusionsHigher blood levels of β-HCH may be associated with risk of preterm labor.