Considerations for the West Nile Virus Season:
- With the emergence of the West Nile Virus and the potential of infection from mosquito bites, personal protection with the application of DEET containing products are recommended for people over 6 months of age.
- There have been no human studies in the first trimester of pregnancy demonstrating the safety of DEET in the effective concentrations of 20 –30%.
- Certain studies during the second and third trimesters have shown that DEET is absorbed systemically, crosses the placenta and deposits in fetal tissue in small concentrations – with no fetal ill effects mentioned.
- Based on the limited research, there have been no recommendations from Health Canada or Motherisk re: the use of DEET in pregnancy.
- The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Information for International Travel 2003-2004 states that the recommendations for DEET use in pregnant women does not differ from those for non-pregnant adults.
- Breastfeeding – DEET has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. Ensure that skin and hands are well cleansed before feeding.
- During Pregnancy- the alternate measures to minimize exposure are advised:
- use the lowest percentage of DEET products possible for effective protection and wash skin with soap and water immediately upon returning indoors and /or
- protection is no longer needed.
- minimize exposure to bites by limiting outdoor activity from dusk to dawn
- wear light coloured clothing, long sleeve shirts and long pants, tuck pants into socks and button shirt cuffs for extra protection
- eliminate mosquito breeding grounds to keep their numbers down
- assess the level of risk of exposure versus the risk of adverse effects during pregnancy and use the guidelines outlined in the DEET Application Chart shown below:
Age |
Applications
Per Day |
DEET
Concentration |
Comments |
Under 6 months |
0 |
0 |
DEET should not be used on infants under 6 months
|
6 months to 2 years |
1 |
10% or less |
Apply only if a high risk of infection exists |
2 to 12 years |
3 maximum |
10% or less |
Avoid face and hands |
Over 12 years |
As required |
30% or less |
Avoid face and hands |
References:
American Journal of Tropical Medicine 2001 Oct;65(4): 285-9 – Safety of the Insect Repellent N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET) in Pregnancy.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 2003;Aug 169 (3) Online 1-4 – DEET-based insect repellents: safety implications for children and pregnant and lactating women.
Health Information for International Travel 2003-2004. Department of Health and Human Services Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
MMWR 2004 Feb Vol 53, No 7 154-7 – Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation of Infants Born to Mothers Infected with West Nile Virus During Pregnancy.
Region of Waterloo Public Health “Fight the Bite”
Reproductive Toxicology 1992; 6(2): 175-6 Intrauterine diethylmetatoluamide exposure and fetal outcome. Shaefer C, Peters PW
Adapted from : Region of Waterloo Public Health
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