Birth Weight and Prenatal Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): A Meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts (original) (raw)

This meta-analysis examines the relationship between birth weights and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) using data from 12 European birth cohorts. Despite the historical ban on PCBs since the 1970s and reduction of DDE usage, these chemicals remain present in the environment and human tissues, raising concerns about their impact on fetal growth. The findings indicate inconsistent associations between PCB/DDE exposure and birth weight, with some studies suggesting possible risks while others found no significant effects.