JOEM: Early Abortions and Congenital Malformations (October 2023)-JOEM: Early Abortions and Congenital Malformations (October 2023)

JOEM: Early Abortions and Congenital Malformations (October 2023)

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A study conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, compared the rates of early abortion and fetal malformation in agricultural and non-agricultural areas. The researchers found that areas with higher agricultural production had higher rates of fetal mortality and malformation compared to non-agricultural areas. The study suggests that this difference may be related to the higher use of pesticides in agricultural areas. The researchers recommend further observational studies to investigate this association and to reduce confounding factors inherent to ecological studies. Pesticide use has been increasing globally and Brazil is the world leader in pesticide usage. São Paulo is the state with the highest pesticide use in Brazil. The use of pesticides in agriculture can contaminate water sources, potentially exposing humans and animals to harmful chemical agents. Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy can have negative effects on the developing fetus, leading to abnormalities or even miscarriage. Previous studies have shown associations between pesticide exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal malformations and abortions. The findings of this study provide further evidence of the potential risks associated with pesticide exposure during pregnancy and highlight the need for further research in this area.

Keywords

study

São Paulo

Brazil

early abortion

fetal malformation

agricultural areas

pesticides

observational studies

water contamination

pregnancy