Exposure to pesticide during pregnancy ups risk of brain tumor in kids

Mommies-to-be, please take note! Exposure to pesticides, particularly insecticides, during pregnancy increases the risk of brain tumor in kids, finds a study.

The findings indicated that pesticide use was associated with a 1.4-times increased risk of childhood brain tumors.

According to researchers maternal residential pesticide use--particularly insecticides--and the risk of childhood brain tumors.

The analysis included 437 malignant childhood brain tumor cases and 3,102 controls from two French studies.

The investigators noted that many pesticide compounds are classified as probable carcinogens, and there is evidence that some insecticides can pass through the feto-placental barrier.

"Although such retrospective studies cannot identify specific chemicals used or quantify the exposure," said lead author Nicolas Vidart d'Egurbide Bagazgoïtia.

The findings add another reason to advise mothers to limit their exposure to pesticides around the time of pregnancy.

The research appears in journal of Cancer analysis.