Exposure to chemical used in hospital disinfectant and cleaning products could cause shrunken heads in newborns, say experts READ MORE: Small breasts make better 'high lactose' breastmilk study reveals By John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 17:27, 28 June 2024 | Updated: 17:36, 28 June 2024 e-mail View comments Women exposed to a chemical used in hospital disinfectant are more likely to give birth to children with shrunken heads, scientists claim. Called ethylene oxide, is also found in antifreeze, detergents and in the liquid used in Covid lateral flow tests, according to the Government. It can also be found in cigarette smoke.
However Spanish researchers found that exposure among pregnant women can lead to newborns entering the world with a lower birth weight and slightly shrunken heads. A study involving just over 1,000 newborns, including some in the UK, found evidence of ethylene oxide in cord blood, the blood that remains in placenta and umbilical cord after birth. Women with the highest levels of ethylene oxide had, on average, babies which were 71g lighter and with a 0.
3cm smaller head circumference. Women exposed to a common hospital disinfectant that is also used in Covid tests are more likely to give birth to children with shrunken heads, scientists claim Official UK advice on ethylene oxide states that trace amounts in medical devices, including Covid lateral flow tests, would not the expected to harm an unborn child Lead author Barbara Harding.