Preterm Birth in Relation to Maternal Organochlorine Serum Levels

PURPOSE: To evaluate the associations of serum levels of p,p-DDE and two other persistent organochlorine pesticides, β-HCH and HCB, in relation to preterm birth. METHODS: During 1995 we performed a case-cohort study and 233 mothers were recruited at three large maternity hospitals in Mexico City. Serum levels were obtained shortly after delivery. RESULTS: A non-significant increased risk of preterm birth in relation to serum p,pʹ-DDE levels was observed. There was also a suggestion of an increased risk of preterm birth among women in the highest tertile of β-HCH (adjusted odds ratio 1.85, 95% CI = 0.94–3.66, p value for test of trend P = 0.08) compared with the lowest tertile. No association was found between HCB serum levels and preterm births. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that p,p-DDE and other organochlorine pesticides may pose a risk to preterm birth in countries that continue to use such insecticides for malaria control.