Objective: To determine the risk of external urogenital birth defects (UGBDs) in newborn boys from a malarial area currently sprayed with technical 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT), as increased fetal oestrogenic or anti-androgenic exposure might be involved in the pathogenesis of increased prevalence of human male reproductive tract anomalies, and DDT and metabolites interact with both these receptors.
Subjects and methods: We examined 3310 newborn baby boys and recorded external UGBDs.
Results: Of the newborn boys 10.8% (357) had UGBDs; a multivariate logistic model showed that mothers who lived in villages sprayed with DDT between 1995 and 2003 had a significantly greater chance (33%) of having a baby with a UGBD than mothers whose homes were not sprayed (odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.72). Being a homemaker instead of being employed further significantly increased the risk of having a baby with a UGBD by 41% (odds ratio 1.41, 1.13-1.77).
Conclusions: Maternal exposure to DDT by living in a DDT-sprayed village was associated to having male offspring with one or more UGBDs. Monitoring the impact of indoor residual spraying on human and environmental health is imperative if DDT is being used, especially as climate change raises concerns about the global spread of malaria. Integrating adequate indoor residual spraying measures by malarial vector control programmes, and increased public awareness to limit personal exposure, are crucial components that need to be addressed.