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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
07:08
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Maternal bisphenol-A levels at delivery: a looming problem?
V Padmanabhan1, K Siefert, S Ransom
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0404, USA. vasantha@umich.edu
Summary
Bisphenol-A (BPA) was detected in the maternal blood of U.S. women. This study found no link between BPA levels and infant gestational length or birth weight.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic exogenous steroid with potential endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Concerns exist regarding fetal exposure to BPA during pregnancy.
- Limited data are available on BPA levels in maternal circulation within the U.S. population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of bisphenol-A (BPA) in maternal blood of pregnant women in the U.S.
- To investigate the relationship between maternal BPA levels and gestational length.
- To assess the association between maternal BPA concentrations and offspring birth weight.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of circulating unconjugated bisphenol-A (BPA) levels using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
- Analysis of blood samples collected at delivery from 40 mothers in southeastern Michigan.
- Statistical correlation of BPA concentrations with gestational length and birth weight.
Main Results:
- Measurable levels of unconjugated bisphenol-A (BPA) were detected in all maternal blood samples, ranging from 0.5 to 22.3 ng/mL.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between maternal BPA concentrations and gestational length.
- No significant association was observed between maternal BPA levels and offspring birth weight.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first documentation of detectable bisphenol-A (BPA) levels in maternal blood within the U.S. population.
- Further long-term follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate potential impacts of fetal BPA exposure.
- The findings do not establish a link between BPA exposure and adverse birth outcomes in this cohort.
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