Adverse outcomes of pregnancy in women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero

We analyzed data collected by interview and medical record review for 200 women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 12,240 unexposed women to evaluate the relation between maternal DES exposure and outcomes of pregnancy. Low birth weight, short gestation, bleeding in the first trimester, toxemia, breech presentation and premature rupture of the membranes occurred more often among the exposed women. These relationships remained statistically significant after the use of linear regression and logistic regression analyses to control for multiple confounding factors. Both exposed women and their physicians should be aware of the possible relationship between maternal exposure to DES and late adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Close medical supervision of these women throughout pregnancy and delivery is recommended.