Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates and Phenols and Infant Birth Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Wolff Mary S., Engel Stephanie M., Berkowitz Gertrud S., Ye Xiaoyun, Silva Manori J., Zhu Chenbo, Wetmur James, Calafat Antonia M.
Primary Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Prenatal exposures to phthalate and phenol metabolites are associated with body size measures of infants at birth.
Conclusion
The study found that while there were prevalent exposures to phthalates and phenols during pregnancy, few were significantly associated with birth size.
Supporting Evidence
- Median urinary concentrations of certain phthalate and phenol metabolites were found to be significantly high.
- Higher prenatal exposure to 2,5-DCP was associated with lower birth weight in boys.
- Higher maternal BP3 concentrations were linked to lower birth weight in girls but higher birth weight in boys.
- Low-MWP metabolites were positively associated with gestational age and head circumference.
Takeaway
This study looked at how certain chemicals in pregnant women's bodies might affect the size of their babies when they are born. They found that some chemicals were common, but not many seemed to change how big the babies were.
Methodology
The study measured urinary metabolites of 5 phenols and 10 phthalates in a cohort of 404 pregnant women during their third trimester and recorded infant size at birth.
Potential Biases
There may be risks of bias due to the reliance on self-reported maternal characteristics and the exclusion of very dilute urine samples.
Limitations
The study had limitations including potential residual confounding from maternal anthropometric factors and the measurement of biomarkers only once during the third trimester.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of a multiethnic group of 404 women, primarily nonwhite, with an average maternal age of 24 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 71–348 g
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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