Increased risk of profound weight loss among women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero

DES and anorexia, Behavioral and neural biology, 1991

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DiEthylStilbestrol usage review buttress the need for adequate and rigorous research into the use of drugs in pregnancy and ensure that they do more good than harm before being introduced for consumption. anorexia

1991 Study Abstract

We surveyed 1711 women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero, and 919 women not exposed, concerning lifetime weight loss histories.

The prevalence of a history of unexplained profoundly low body weight (weight less than or equal to 80% of expected weight for age, sex, and height)

  • was 18.7 per 1000 in the exposed group
  • compared to 3.3 per 1000 in the unexposed group;
  • a 5.72 to 1 ratio of increased risk.
Sources and more information
  • Increased risk of profound weight loss among women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero, Behavioral and neural biology, NCBI PMID: 2059190, 1991 May.
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