DES Linked to Serious Health Issues for Multiple Generations

March 01, 2012

For more than four decades, a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) was prescribed to millions of expecting mothers in an effort to prevent miscarriages. Prescriptions for the drug were written until 1971, when researchers discovered a link between prenatal exposure to DES and the development of reproductive tract cancers. Notably, researchers discovered health issues of developing breast cancer not only in the expecting mothers themselves, but also in their daughters decades later after being exposed to DES in utero. These victims have come to be known as the DES daughters.

As many as 10 million pregnant women were prescribed DES until 1971 - unknowingly exposing their daughters throughout their pregnancies. Studies have not only linked prenatal DES exposure to increased cancer and infertility rates in DES daughters, but the children of DES daughters may also be subject to birth defects because of DES prescribed to their grandmother decades earlier.

Breast Cancer in DES Daughters

A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) - and recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine - illustrates the cancer risks associated with in utero DES exposure for DES daughters.

The NCI study, also known as the Hoover study, was conducted by comparing 1927 unexposed women to 4632 women exposed to DES in utero. Ultimately, the study confirmed the causal association between prenatal DES exposure and breast cancer for women over the age of 40.

These findings are similar to the conclusions of other NCI studies in the past. In 2006, the Palmer Study discovered a 105 percent increased risk of developing breast cancer among DES daughters over the age of 40 and a 285 percent increased risk for those over the age of 50.

It is important to note that breast cancer is not the only form of cancer associated with in utero exposure to DES. The Hoover study also discovered that DES daughters have a 40-times higher risk of developing a rare vaginal cancer known as clear cell adenocarcinoma - which was one of the cancer concerns that led to the halted use of DES in 1971.

Infertility in DES Daughters

The Hoover study also discovered a strong link between prenatal exposure to DES and reproductive problems for DES daughters. For example, DES daughters are at a 137 percent higher risk of infertility than the unexposed.

Moreover, those DES daughters fortunate enough to get pregnant are at 368 percent higher risk for premature births. This premature birth risk increases to 540 percent for DES daughters whose mothers ingested the highest doses of DES.

Unfortunately, according to the Hoover study, the additional reproductive risks for DES daughters include:
- Spontaneous abortion (otherwise known as first-trimester miscarriage): 60 percent higher risk for DES daughters as compared to unexposed women.
- Second trimester loss of pregnancy: 288 percent higher risk for DES daughters as compared to unexposed women.
- Stillbirths: 147 percent higher risk for DES daughters as compared to unexposed women.
- Neonatal death (death of the baby in first 28 days after birth): 714 percent higher risk for DES daughters as compared to unexposed women.
- Ectopic pregnancy: 270 percent higher risk for DES daughters as compared to unexposed women.

In a statement to Time:Heartland, Robert Hoover, the director of the epidemiology and biostatistics program at NCI, and author of the study, said, "It's kind of daunting," when discussing the miscarriage rates for DES daughters. Hoover went on to say, "This is an example of what can happen when you screw up a person's hormonal balance in utero."

Impact of In Utero Exposure to DES on Third Generation

Because of the aforementioned pregnancy risks, children of DES daughters often encounter serious health concerns. Some of the common birth defects for DES grandsons or granddaughters include:
- Extreme premature delivery injuries
- Cerebral palsy
- Brain damage
- Quadriplegia
- Learning disorders
- Developmental disabilities

One reason for DES third-generation birth defects is directly related to the premature birth rates among pregnant DES daughters. Moreover, in an effort to fight infertility, many DES daughters have relied on fertility treatments, which can also lead to complications when the DES daughter has a DES-impacted reproductive tract.

Diethylstilbestrol has literally impacted millions of lives for decades - and will likely impact lives for decades to come. If you or a loved one has developed an adverse health condition because of prenatal exposure to DES, contact an experienced attorney to be advised of your rights and options.

Article provided by Aaron M. Levine & Associates
Visit us at www.aaronlevinelaw.com