In utero exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and duration of human pregnancy.
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 1 November 2003
- journal article
- Published by Environmental Health Perspectives in Environmental Health Perspectives
- Vol. 111 (14), 1783-1785
- https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6202
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), the most commonly used plasticizer in flexible polyvinylchloride formulations, is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. To date, no information exists on the potential health hazards from exposure to DEHP and/or its main metabolite, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), in high-risk conditions, such as pregnancy and during the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to evaluate prenatal exposure to DEHP and/or MEHP and its possible biologic effects. We measured serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations in the cord blood of 84 consecutive newborns by high-performance liquid chromatography. Relationships between DEHP/MEHP and infant characteristics were tested using Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-tests, and univariate linear regression analyses, and significant differences on univariate analysis were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. We found detectable cord blood DEHP and/or MEHP concentrations in 88.1% of the samples. Either DEHP or MEHP was present in 65 of 84 (77.4%) of the examined samples. Mean concentrations of DEHP and MEHP were 1.19 +/- 1.15 microg/mL [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.93-1.44, range = 0-4.71] and 0.52 +/- 0.61 microg/mL (95% CI, 0.39-0.66, range = 0-2.94), respectively. MEHP-positive newborns showed a significantly lower gestational age compared with MEHP-negative infants (p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis results indicated a positive correlation between absence of MEHP in cord blood and gestational age at delivery (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.013-2.21; p = 0.043). These findings confirm that human exposure to DEHP can begin in utero and suggest that phthalate exposure is significantly associated with a shorter pregnancy duration.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Abnormalities of sexual development in male rats with in utero and lactational exposure to the antiandrogenic plasticizer Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001
- Potential Hazards of Exposure to Di-(2-Ethylhexyl)-Phthalate in BabiesNeonatology, 2000
- Materials degradation in endotracheal tubes: a potential contributor to bronchopulmonary dysplasiaActa Paediatrica, 1999
- Increase of Oxytocin-Induced Oscillatory Contractions by 4-hydroxy-2′,4′,6′- Trichlorobiphenyl is Estrogen Receptor Mediated1Biology of Reproduction, 1997
- NEWS: UK panics over phthalates in babymilk formulaeThe Lancet, 1996
- Levels of di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate and total phthalate esters in milk, cream, butter and cheeseFood Additives & Contaminants, 1994
- Exposure of newborn infants to di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐phthalate and 2‐ ethylhexanoic acid following exchange transfusion with polyvinylchloride cathetersTransfusion, 1993
- Phthalate Ester Plasticizers: A New Class of Marine PollutantScience, 1978
- Phthalate Ester Plasticizers: A New Class of Marine PollutantScience, 1978
- Di-n-butyl-and Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in human adipose tissueBulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 1974