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Cited by 313Demographic Trends and Gender PreferencesSexual Differentiation and DisordersEffects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Reduced Ratio of Male to Female Births in Several Industrial Countries: A Sentinel Health Indicator?

Davis, Devra Lee, Gottlieb, Michelle B., Stampnitzky, Julie R.·1998·JAMA
DOI 10.1001/jama.279.13.1018
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Abstract

CONTEXT: The sex ratio of 1.06:1, the ratio of male to female births, has declined over the past decades. Recent reports from a number of industrialized countries indicate that the proportion of males born has significantly decreased, while some male reproductive tract disorders have increased. OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence for declines in the male proportion at birth and suspected causes for this decline, and to determine whether altered sex ratio can be considered a sentinel health event. DATA SOURCES: Birth records were analyzed from national statistical agencies. STUDY SELECTION: Published analyses of trends in ratio of males to females at birth and studies of sex determinants evaluating epidemiological and endocrinological factors. DATA EXTRACTION: Proportion of males born: 1950-1994 in Denmark; 1950-1994 in the Netherlands; 1970-1990 in Canada; and 1970-1990 in the United States. DATA SYNTHESIS: Since 1950, significant declines in the proportion of males born have been reported in Denmark and the Netherlands. Similar declines have been reported for Canada and the United States since 1970 and parallel declines also have occurred in Sweden, Germany, Norway, and Finland. In Denmark, the proportion of males declined from 0.515 in 1950 to 0.513 in 1994. In the Netherlands, the proportion of males declined from 0.516 in 1950 to 0.513 in 1994. Similar declines in the proportion of males born in Canada and the United States are equivalent to a shift from male to female births of 8600 and 38000 births, respectively. Known and hypothesized risk factors for reduced sex ratio at birth cannot fully account for recent trends. CONCLUSION: Patterns of reduced sex ratio need to be carefully assessed to determine whether they are occurring more generally, whether temporal or spatial variations are evident, and whether they constitute a sentinel health event.

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  • The census of 2000 put China's population at 1.27 billion, although some demographers regard this number as an underestimate.

    “The census of 2000 put the population at 1.27 billion, 12 although some demographers regard this number as an underestimate. 13”

    From The Effect of China's One-Child Family Policy after 25 Years (2005) · cites this paper as [12]

  • Antiandrogens are already recognized as one of the factors responsible for the recent increase of hypospadias.

    “They are already recognized as one of the factors responsible for the recent increase of hypospadias, a male reproductive disorder where the urethral opening is on the ventral surface of the penis (Baskin et al. 2001; Davis et al. 1998; Egeland et al. 1994; Jensen et al. 1995; Sharpe and Skakkebaek 1993).”

    From Perinatal Exposure to Low Levels of the Environmental Antiandrogen Vinclozolin Alters Sex-Differentiated Social Play and Sexual Behaviors in the Rat (2005) · cites this paper as Davis et al. 1998

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Authors
Davis, D. L., Gottlieb, M. B., & Stampnitzky, J. R.
Affiliations
World Resources Institute (US)
ORCID
Davis, Devra Lee
Venue
JAMA
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
1998-04-01
Volume
279
Issue
13
Pages
1018
ISSN
  • 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
  • 0098-7484
DOI
10.1001/jama.279.13.1018
OpenAlex
W1999560046
Cited by
313
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 12
FWCI
36.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JAMA (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Keywords
sex ratio at birth, sex ratio trends, sex determination, endocrine disruptors, developed countries, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada, United States
MeSH terms
Canada, Denmark, Environmental Exposure, Female, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Sex Differentiation, Sex Ratio, United States, Occupational Exposure, Sentinel Surveillance, Developed Countries, Sex Determination Processes

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