USE OF PESTICIDES IN PREGNANCY: FETAL AND NEONATAL REPERCUSSIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n3-158Keywords:
Pesticides, Pregnancy, Public Health, Exposure, Adverse ReactionsAbstract
CONTEXT: Globally, exposure to pesticides represents a serious challenge to public health, especially in countries with a strong agricultural presence. Research indicates that farmworkers exposed to these products face a greater risk of complications, such as premature birth. Furthermore, exposure to pesticides during pregnancy can have significant consequences for pregnant women and their future children, including changes in the development of several systems, such as the respiratory, cardiovascular and hepatic systems. These substances are also associated with increased susceptibility to neoplastic diseases, particularly in children during the first years of life. Literature is scarce regarding the possible adverse reactions that exposure to pesticides can have on newborns. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of pesticide exposure in pregnant women with fetal and neonatal repercussions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on the anchor project “Nutrition and infection: the problem revisited due to the microcephaly outbreak”, developed by the Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira (IMIP). The study population consisted of 1,469 pregnant women, with data collection beginning in April 2017 and concluding in July 2018. Follow-up of the participants extended until March 2019. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software. Categorical data were described using absolute and relative frequency distributions, while numerical data were analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of IMIP (CEP/IMIP), under CAAE no. 85388924.5.0000.5201 and Opinion no. 7.376.531. RESULTS: During the data collection period, 174 pregnant women (11.8%) reported exposure to pesticides. The analyzed outcomes showed significant differences between the exposed and non-exposed groups. The prematurity rate was higher among exposed pregnant women (16.1%) compared to the non-exposed group (10.4%). Regarding birth weight, 63% of newborns from non-exposed mothers had adequate weight (3,000–3,999 g), whereas among the exposed, this percentage was 51.8%. Concerning birth vitality, the non-vitality rate (considering live births versus non-live births) was 7.6% among the exposed and 4.2% among the non-exposed, demonstrating a statistically significant impact on neonatal survival. CONCLUSION: The findings reinforce the growing concern within the scientific community regarding the adverse effects of pesticides on maternal and child health, especially in light of the limited number of in-depth studies on the subject. This study demonstrated an association between gestational exposure to pesticides and negative outcomes such as prematurity, alterations in birth weight, and increased fetal mortality rates. These results support the need for environmental surveillance strategies, public policies for pesticide control, and health interventions aimed at protecting pregnant women in high-risk areas.
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