County-level pesticide use and risk of shortened gestation and preterm birth

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica Vol. 105; no. 3; pp. e107 - e115
• Main Authors: Winchester, Paul, Proctor, Cathy, Ying, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Norway Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Adult; California - epidemiology; Female; Gestation; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Premature; Online Only; Pesticide; Pesticides - adverse effects; Pregnancy; Premature Birth - chemically induced; Premature Birth - epidemiology; Preterm birth; Regular; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Gestation; Pesticide
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.13288

Aim This study assesses the association between pesticide exposure in pregnancy, preterm birth (PTB) and shortened gestation. Methods Pregnancy information was ed from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Non‐Public Use Natality Datasets 1990–2005. Pesticide use in maternal county of residence was calculated using California Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) data 1990–2005. Counties were ranked by pesticide use, and birth months were sorted by peak (May–June) or nonpeak (other months) pesticide use. Multivariate logistical regression models were used. Results Counties with higher pesticide use were associated with higher PTB (low 8.59 ± 0.11%, moderate 9.25 ± 0.07%, high 10.0 ± 0.06%, p's < 0.001) and shorter gestations (low 39.197 ± 0.014 weeks, moderate 39.126 ± 0.011 weeks, high 39.049 ± 0.011 weeks, p's < 0.001). Peak pesticide months were associated with higher PTB (10.01 ± 0.05% vs. 9.36 ± 0.05%, p < 0.001) and shorter gestations (39.069 ± 0.007 weeks vs. 39.122 ± 0.007 weeks, p < 0.001). The pesticide effect on shortened gestation and higher PTB was found in all racial groups. Pesticide use was highest for fungicides > insecticides > fumigants > herbicides > others. Each pesticide type was found to be associated with higher PTB and shorter gestation. Conclusion PTB and shortened gestation were significantly associated with pesticide use in maternal county of residence regardless of race, gestation at birth, and in most risk categories.