Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure during Pregnancy and Adverse Perinatal Outcome

Farahat T, Shaheen HM, Sanad Z and Farag NA

Objective: Little is known about potential adverse health effects of in utero exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of organophosphate pesticide exposure during pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcome. Subject and Methods: This prospective study was conducted during the period from March 2013 to March 2105 and included two groups of pregnant women, 40 exposed women and 100 unexposed women as a control group. Both groups were matched for age, socioeconomic class educational level and body mass index. Serum acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) was measured in all participants at 20-22 weeks’ gestation. All women were followed up till delivery. Perinatal outcome was assessed in terms of gestational age at delivery, birth weight, head circumference and body length of the newborn. Results: Exposed participants exhibited significantly shortened gestational age, low birth weight and smaller head circumference than controls. There was a positive correlation between reduced level of AChE and gestational age and birth weight. Conclusions: Our results confirmed the association between organophosphate pesticide exposure during pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcome in terms of reduced gestational age, low birth weight and small head circumference.