The Parents Zone

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that babies whose mothers have high levels of the chemical DDE in their blood were more likely to grow rapidly during the first six months of life and to have a high body mass index by 14 months.

DDE is a by-product of the pesticide DDT, according to the study.

The team of scientists based in Barcelona, Spain examined data on 518 Spanish women in their first trimester of pregnancy, collected between 2004 and 2006. Babies whose mothers were normal weight pre-pregnancy and had DDE levels in the top 75 percent of exposure were twice as likely to grow rapidly during their first six months of life compared to baby’s whose mothers had the lowest DDE levels. Infants in the top 50 percent of exposure were three time more likely to have high BMI scores at 14 months.

The researchers did not find an association between DDE and weight for babies whose mothers were overweight before pregnancy.

“This analysis suggests, to our knowledge for the first time, that fetal DDE exposure may promote rapid growth starting in the immediate postnatal period,” said lead author and epidemiologist Michelle A. Mendez, of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, and her colleagues in a statement.

Other laboratory studies have suggested that “exposure to chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties might promote shifts in appetite regulation, but may also promote obesity through metabolic changes,” according to the statement from Mendez.

The researchers took into consideration other factors in rapid growth and high BMI, such as parents’ height and weight, duration of breastfeeding, and whether the mother smoked. The team is continuing to study the children, who are now 4 years old.

“Most of the exposure to organochlorine compounds is thought to come from the diet,” said Mendez.

Foods, including meats, fish, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables, are potential sources of exposure to DDE and similar compounds. “These chemicals persist in the environment as they are highly resistant to degradation,” Mendez said.

New York City pediatrician, Dr. Sonia Gidwani, of Ryan’s Center, said that big babies are a big issue, but that she is not sure if there is a direct link between the chemicals and obesity.

“It’s possible that this is purely as an association and not cause and effect,” she told AOL Health. “The study included only 500 people. People are trying to come up with associations so that we can cure obesity. There was a recent study on whether a virus could be the culprit, and thoughts that a vaccine could be developed. I’m not saying that it’s not a good idea to look at these things, but further studies are needed before a determination can be made.”

Gidwani said that parents must take responsibility and watch their children’s growth rates. “Go over the growth charts. If the BMI rises, it could be a problem,” she said. “Yes, people have different metabolisms and there could be genetic factors at work but, when it comes to obesity, prevention is key. It’s harder to treat than it is to prevent.”

Overall it’s the parents’ responsibility to prevent obesity in the first place and make sure their baby stays on the right track, Gidwani said.

“When you take your baby for a physical look at the weight and height and make sure it’s proportional,” she said. “No one is saying to put a baby on a diet. Sometimes, it’s just a tall baby. But maybe you will need to add water to the diet and [take away] high calorie foods. Or there could be an underlying endocrinology problem like thyroid dysfunction.”

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