Child growth, neurodevelopment and pre and postnatal exposure to phthalates: first exposure data. (30th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maione, D; Lucaccioni, L; Arletti, M; Panciroli, G; Poluzzi, F; Ferrari, A; Facchinetti, F; Fantuzzi, G; Righi, E
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 30:Number 5(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-30
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.966
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Phthalates, potential endocrine disruptors added to plastics, are found in numerous products and contaminate many environmental matrices, resulting in a widespread human exposure virtually interfering with fetal and neonatal development. This study aims to evaluate, by repeated mothers and children urine monitoring, the exposure to phthalates in newborns and to investigate its potential effects in early life. Methods: A cohort study, recruiting mothers and newborns at an Italian hospital, is ongoing. Prenatal exposure is assessed by measuring 6 phthalates in maternal and neonatal urine; while postnatal exposure is assessed in the infants urines at 3rd and 6th month. Infants undergo periodic visits (t0, t3, t6, t12, t24) to assess growth, neurocognitive development and urinary sex hormone levels; mothers fill in exposure questionnaires at t0 and t6. Results: To date, 148 mother-child couples have been enrolled, 74 children checked at t3 and 35 at t6. The newborns (3.4±0.3kg weight, 50.2±1.7cm length), show physiological hormonal levels: LH 0.6±1.8mIU/ml; FSH 1.5±1.6mIU/ml, testosterone 10.3±4.8ng/ml, estradiol 843.9±972.4pg/ml. Phthalates appear highly widespread both in mothers and infants, although at low levels. MEP shows the highest levels (mothers: 37.3±83.2µg/L; infants: 19.6±32.8µg/L), followed by MnBP (mothers: 11.3±14.4µg/L; infants: 21.3±25.5µg/L) and MBzP (mothers: 3.9±3.9µg/L; infants: 8.1±9.8µg/L). All mothers report frequent contact with products potentially containing phthalates, however mother-child couples levels showed very low correlations. Conclusions: Exposure to phthalates for infants appears widespread, albeit at low levels. Neonatal urine biomonitoring is a valid tool to evaluate child exposure, able to produce more accurate information than maternal urine. Key messages: Biomonitoring of childhood urine produces accurate data on pre and postnatal exposure to phthalates. Biomonitoring of childhood urinary phthalates can enhance the assessment of their potential effects on growth and development.