Identification and Measurement of Plasticizer in Neonatal Tissues after Umbilical Catheters and Blood Products

Abstract

Because of concern about tissue uptake of plasticizers used in medical equipment, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in neonatal heart and gastrointestinal tissue. Seventeen infants who had umbilical catheterization alone or with administration of blood products, and 13 stillborn or older controls were studied. The mean levels of the plasticizer for heart residue and pressed extract in the study group — 1.27 ± 0.42 and 0.66 ± 0.22 μg per gram respectively — were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the corresponding control levels (< 0.07 ± 0.03 and < 0.07 ± 0.04 μg per gram). Higher levels were associated with larger amounts of blood products, more extensive use of catheters, and early death. Levels in gastrointestinal tissue from three infants who had died of necrotizing enterocolitis were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in gastrointestinal tissue from infants without this disease. Thus, plasticizer from medical use of plastics does accumulate in tissues of critically ill infants. (N Engl J Med 292:381–386, 1975)