SPECIAL THEME: INTERGENERATIONAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH Prenatal exposure to 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p0-DDE) in relation to child growth

The toxic effects in humans of DDT and its degradates, however, have not been adequately characterized. 4,5 Both DDT and its primary degradate, p,p0-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl) ethylene, hereafter DDE] are resistant to degradation and bioaccumulate in the food chain. Data from some studies suggest that perinatal exposure to certain organochlorine compounds may affect body size in children, though the human data are scarce and inconsistent. Reduced height among female but not male children was associated with higher childhood DDE concentrations in one study conducted in Germany. 6 Another report found that higher in utero exposure to DDE was associated with greater heights around the time of puberty in boys but not girls. 7 A recent study with 304 males born in Philadelphia found no association between anthropometric measurements during their adolescence and prenatal exposure to DDE. 8 In adult rodents, a decrease in the body weight gain has been reported after acute or chronic administration of DDE in the diet. 9