. "8. Reproductive and Developmental Effects." Gulf War and Health: Volume 2. Insecticides and Solvents. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2003.
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Gulf War and Health: Insecticides and Solvents, Volume 2
power to detect actual effects. The few studies that examined maternal or paternal preconception exposures did not find clear and consistent evidence of an association with any type of malformation.
The committee concludes, from its assessment of the epidemiologic literature, that there is inadequate/insufficient evidence to determine whether an association exists between maternal or paternal preconception exposure to the insecticides under review and congenital malformations.
TABLE 8.5 Selected Epidemiologic Studies: Congenital Malformations and Exposure to Insecticides
Reference
Population
Exposed Cases
Estimated Relative Risk (95% CI)
Maternal Exposure
NTDs and CNS Anomalies
Shaw et al., 1999a
Maternal exposure 1 month before to 3 months after conception
Use of insect foggers
20
1.1 (0.6–2.0)
Professionally applied pesticides in the home
53
1.6 (1.1–2.5)
Mothers applying pesticides in the home
54
1.1 (0.8–1.7)
Insect-repellent use
16
1.0 (0.6–1.9)
Maternal occupational exposure likely
3
0.9 (0.2–3.8)
Shaw et al., 1999b
Occupational and hobby-related exposures 3 months before conception through pregnancy
Carbamates
6
1.2 (0.38–3.7)
Organophosphates
17
1.2 (0.60–2.5)
Pyrethrins
7
1.0 (0.36–2.8)
Insecticides
40
1.3 (0.81–2.1)
Heart Malformations
Loffredo et al., 2001
Maternal exposure and infants born with transposition of the great arteries
Insecticides—critical period
32
1.5 (0.9–2.6)
Insecticides—4–6 months before pregnancy
28
1.6 (0.9–2.9)
Shaw et al., 1999b
Maternal exposure 1 month before to 3 months after conception
Mothers applying pesticides during gardening
12
3.1 (1.3–7.3)
Insect-repellent use
25
2.2 (1.3–3.9)
More than one pet-flea collar product used
53
1.2 (0.8–1.8)
Insect-fogger use
12
0.8 (0.4–1.7)
Paternal Exposure
Multiple or Other Malformations
Garcia et al., 1998
Paternal exposure for infants born in agricultural areas of Spain
Malathion
6
0.30 (0.06–1.43)
Carbamates
10
0.81 (0.30–2.22)
Organophosphates
31
0.77 (0.38–1.58)
Lin et al., 1994
Parental exposure for infants born with limb reduction defects in New York state
