New Research Shows Pesticide Exposure Before Pregnancy Increases Stillbirth Risk

New research has recently revealed that living less than one-third of a mile from pesticide use during conception and early pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirths. 

Researchers found that some pesticides, including organophosphates, were linked to stillbirth during the 90-day pre-conception window and the first trimester of pregnancy. 

This paper is known as “Pre-Conception And First Trimester Exposure To Pesticides And Associations With Stillbirth,” and was recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. 

One of the reputed environmental epidemiologists, Melissa Furlong, said that this study has found certain ingredients that have a significant association with the risk of still birth. He further said there is a need to consider individual pesticides because specific chemical compounds may pose unique risks and the potential impact of pre-pregnancy exposure on reproductive outcomes. 

In this study, researchers tried to understand the relationship between pesticide use records for 27 pesticides and state birth certificate data. This data included the data of 1,237,750 births and 2,290 stillbirths from 2006 to 2020. 

When researchers observed the collected data, they found that living within.31 miles of specific pesticide applications during a 90-day pre-conception window or the first trimester increases the risk of stillbirth. 

Researchers found some pesticides such as cyfluthrin, malathion, zeta-cypermethrin, carbaryl, organophosphates, and propamocarb hydrochloride increase stillbirths pre-conception. On the other hand, organophosphates, fenpropathrin, permethrin, acephate and formetanate hydrochloride are associated with stillbirths during the first trimester. 

Acephate is a type of organophosphate that has the strongest effect on stillbirth. Exposure to acephate in the first trimester doubles the risk. Cyfluthrin is a pyrethroid and its exposure within the 90 days before conception almost doubles the risk of stillbirth.  

Pesticides are chemical substances that are used to control pests. They are classified into three types such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates. Exposure to them is primarily through diet, household use, agricultural drift and occupational exposure. 

Researchers of the study said that while some pesticides may not have been directly linked to the study, they can still increase the risk of many complications to maternal and fetal health. 

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of pesticide exposure due to some physiological changes during pregnancy such as increased metabolic rate, hormone changes, and immune system changes, and the developing fetus’s increased susceptibility to toxic effects. 

Researchers of this study said that there is a need for further research to understand pesticide safety profiles and mechanisms of pesticide-induced stillbirth. This study emphasizes the need for some effective strategies to protect maternal and fetal health. 

Reference Link:  

Melissa A Furlong et al, Pre-Conception And First Trimester Exposure To Pesticides And Associations With Stillbirth, American Journal of Epidemiology (2024).  

DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae198