A study confirmed the harmful effects of Distilbene® over three generations: mothers, children exposed in utero and grandchildren. Forbidden for sale since 1977, this drug capable of preventing false layers, however, has left consequences in some people. Back on the case.
In France, between 1948 and 1977, 200,000 pregnant women received Distilbene®. Distilbene® (diethylboestrol) or is a synthetic hormone was prescribed to avoid false layers And the risks of prematurity and to treat hemorrhages in pregnant women. However, this medication would act as An endocrine disruptor and would be linked to gynecological problems (Malforms, infertility, pregnancy accidents, cancers)genital malformations, cardiacs and esophagus as well as sequelae of prematurity in mothers treated by Distilbene®, but also their children and grandchildren. Back on this health crisis.
- Between 1948 and 1977, Distilbene®, trade name of a synthesis hormone (diethylstilboestrol, or of) is prescribed in France at near 200 000 pregnant women To prevent false layers.
- Since 1953THE Distilbene® is suspected of toxicity and would act as an endocrine disruptorwith all the consequences on the health that this implies.
- In the early 1980sDr. Anne Cabau, a gynecologist, discovers that some women exhibited at Distilbene have anomalies in the uterus. For two years, she decided to conduct the investigation and gather data on cases of malformations. His work was highlighted in 1983 in an article in the world with the title “Children of Distilbene®: a monumental medical error“.
- In 1971Distilbene® is prohibited in pregnant women in the United States
- In 1977marketing in France is prohibited.
- In 2011, The Versailles Court of Appeal recognizes a link between taking Distilbene® and a disability in the third generation.
- In 2014a vast epidemiological study on 100,000 of these children and grandchildren estimates that the risk of breast cancer is multiplied by two in the 80,000 “girls of” exposed in utero to Distilbene®. As for “boys of”, they would suffer more than the rest of the population of genital malformations (cryptorchidia (testicle not descended at birth), cyst of the epididymis and testicular atrophy) …
In the case of Distilbene®there are three generations:
- The first generation: That is to say, pregnant women who have been prescribed Distilbene® between 1950 and 1977. This concerns around 200,000 women.
- The second generation: That is to say the girls and sons of the first generation mothers, exhibited in utero at Distilbene®. They are 160,000 (80,000 girls and 80,000 boys)
- The third generation or “The grandchildren of”. Although they have never been in direct contact with the Distilbene®they undergo the consequences of the exposure of the 2 previous generations.
Distilbene and risk of malformation: total or partial absence of uterus
A new study of the France network (association which supports the victims of this drug) funded by the Health and Medicines Agency (ANSM) and relayed exclusively by Le Parisien in an article of January 30, 2020, was carried out on 753 Patient granddaughters to which Distilbene® was prescribed. Among these “granddaughters”, three of them would have been born with Rokitansky syndrome characterized by a total or partial absence of uterus. This number is abnormally high compared to the rest of the population: 0.4% against 0.02%. “”These are results from a declarative survey. We cannot draw from it definitive conclusions“, says Anne de Cassini, vice-president of the Belgian UCB Pharma laboratory who was marketing this medication at the time. However,”It is a signal that deserves to be dug“, Adds Anne Wautier, one of the gynecologists to have participated in the study. Recall that several previous studies had shown an increased risk – for women treated with Distilbene®, but also to their daughters and their granddaughters – to suffer from genital cancers (uterus, vagina), genital malformations and reproductive accidents (infertility, extra -uterine pregnancies premature deliveries).
Distilled and risk of breast cancer
A vast epidemiological study conducted by the Association of France in 2014 has shown that the risk of breast cancer is twice as high in the 80,000 “girls of” exposed in utero, regardless of the age group. Or a risk similar to that of a woman including a first degree parent (mother, sister, daughter) had breast cancer. A significant risk therefore and which raises the question of an adaptation of the recommendations of screening for breast cancer for these girls whose mothers were exposed to Distilbene® during pregnancy. These results confirm in any case that they must benefit from annual gynecological follow -up, even in the absence of a symptom. Unexplained blood losses or the appearance of an anomaly in a breast must quickly consult. “The history of the Des is not over. France network will continue to mobilize so that information will reach all health professionals so that” girls of. “ benefit from suitable medical follow -up“, Underlines Anne Levadou, the president of the association of.
