Early Abortions and Congenital Malformations

Especially in an area of intensive agricultural production, physicians should be aware of the possible relationship between birth defects, abortion and pesticides. The etiological explanation and therapeutic approach may vary, for example, avoiding environmental and food exposure. IntroductionAreas with higher agricultural production have higher rates of abortion and malformation, probable related to pesticides.ObjectiveTo compare the rates of early abortion and fetal malformation in agricultural and nonagricultural areas.MethodA survey was carried out on fetal deaths in children weighing less than 500 g or gestational age less than 22 weeks and fetal malformations in live births.ResultsFrom 1996 to 2018, there was an increase in the rates of abortion and, albeit to a lesser extent, malformation. The areas of greater agricultural production have higher rates of fetal mortality and malformation than the others.ConclusionsThe study suggests that areas with higher use of pesticides have higher rates of abortion and fetal malformations than the others, requiring further observational studies, reducing confounders inherent to the ecological study.