Canadian researchers demonstrated a link between a baby's exposure to the organochlorine pesticides DDT, hexachlorobenzene and dieldrin whilst in the womb and a raised risk of developing otitis media (an infection of the middle ear) during the first years of life. This suggests that pesticides may compromise babies immune systems.

There was no significant difference between babies who were breast-fed and babies who were formula-fed.

Two studies linked Monsanto's Roundup Ready herbicide and some fungicides to significant increases in birth defect rates. Roundup was also specifically linked to a threefold increase in neurodevelopmental (attention deficit) disorders.

Babies born of women who worked in agriculture had a significantly higher risk of limb defects than those born into families where neither parent or only the father worked in agriculture. The researchers suggested that agricultural chemicals were to blame.

The study confirmed similar studies carried out in Sweden, Canada and Australia 20 years earlier.

See also Men's work clothes implicated in spontaneous abortions