Prenatal dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) exposure and child growth during the first year of life

BackgroundDue to its long-term persistence in the environment and its ability to cross the placental barrier, prenatal p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE) exposure continues to be a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal DDE exposure and child growth, at birth and during the first year of life.Methods253 pregnant women were recruited between January 2001 and June 2005 in a prospective cohort in Morelos, Mexico. Serum levels of DDE were measured during each trimester of pregnancy by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Using the generalized mixed-effects models, the association between DDE and child growth parameters (weight-for-age, length-for-age, weight-for-length, BMI-for-age and head circumference-for-age Z-scores) from birth to 1 year of age was assessed. Maternal dietary intake was considered as covariable among others.ResultsDDE levels were 6.3±2.8 ng/mL (first trimester), 6.6±2.9 ng/mL (second trimester), and 7.6±2.9 ng/mL (third trimester). After adjusting for potential confounder variables, no significant associations were observed with prenatal DDE exposure and each of the selected parameters.ConclusionsOur results show no evidence of an association between prenatal DDE exposure and child growth during the first year of life.

► This study evaluated prenatal DDE exposure and child growth among Mexican children. ► Maternal serum DDE levels at each trimesters of pregnancy were used. ► Child growth was evaluated using standardized anthropometric measurements (z-scores). ► No significant associations were observed with prenatal DDE exposure and each of the growth parameters. ► Results suggest no evidence of an association between prenatal DDE exposure and child growth during the first year of life.