DDT/DDE concentrations and risk of hypospadias.: A case-control pilot study.

Objective. To evaluate the association between maternal serum DDT/DDE levels and risk of hypospadias. Material and Methods. A case-control study in Mexico City was conducted during 1997-1999 among 41 subjects with hypospadias and 28 controls. Blood samples were obtained from study subjects. Information was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Results. Maternal DDT and DDE levels showed no association with hypospadias (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.24-5.29 and OR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.15 - 1.60, respectively). Associated factors were older age of mothers (OR 8.69; 95% CI 1.69 - 44.9), and working during pregnancy (OR 4.68; 95% CI 1.15 -18.9). Conclusions. Information about the endocrine effects of different levels of DDT/DDE in human subjects is scarce; dosage may be a determinant factor of the type of effect. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.