Maternal exposure to DDT, DDE, and pyrethroid insecticides for malaria vector control and hypospadias in the VHEMBE birth cohort study, Limpopo, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Hypospadias is the ectopic opening of the urethra on the penis or scrotum. Exposure to estrogenic and/or anti-androgenic chemicals in utero may play an etiologic role. DDT and the pyrethroids cypermethrin and deltamethrin, are used to control malaria. DDT is estrogenic and its breakdown product DDE is anti-androgenic; cypermethrin and deltamethrin can also disrupt androgen pathways. We examined the relationship between maternal exposure to these insecticides during pregnancy and hypospadias among boys participating in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE) in Limpopo Province, South Africa. We measured peripartum levels of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in maternal serum and urinary pyrethroid metabolites. We conducted urogenital examination on 359 one-year-o

SUBMITTER: Bornman R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10565726 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature