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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and child wheeze from birth to 3 years of age

Adam J Spanier1, Robert S Kahn, Allen R Kunselman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Penn State University Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, USA. aspanier@hmc.psu.edu

Environmental Health Perspectives
|February 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, was linked to increased wheeze in infants. This association diminished over time, with early gestation exposure being most significant.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Respiratory Health
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical prevalent in the environment.
  • BPA exposure is known to promote asthma in experimental models.
  • The link between prenatal BPA exposure and wheeze in human infants remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and the occurrence of wheeze in early childhood.
  • To determine if BPA exposure during pregnancy is associated with wheezing illnesses in infants.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective birth cohort study involving 398 mother-infant pairs.
  • Measurement of BPA concentrations in serial maternal urine samples throughout pregnancy.
  • Assessment of parent-reported child wheeze every six months for three years using generalized estimating equations.

Main Results:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA) was detected in 99% of maternal urine samples.
  • Higher mean prenatal BPA levels were associated with increased odds of wheeze at 6 months of age (AOR=2.3).
  • Urinary BPA concentrations at 16 weeks gestation were associated with wheeze up to 3 years (AOR=1.2), but not at later time points.

Conclusions:

  • Mean prenatal Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is associated with a higher likelihood of wheeze in early infancy.
  • The impact of BPA on wheeze risk decreases as the child ages.
  • Exposure timing is critical, with BPA levels at 16 weeks gestation showing a significant association with wheeze development.
Abstract

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