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Urinary phthalates are associated with higher blood pressure in childhood

Leonardo Trasande1, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Adam J Spanier

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. Leonardo.trasande@nyumc.org

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Dietary exposure to di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is linked to increased systolic blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. This phthalate, common in processed foods, may impact cardiovascular health in youth.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental health
  • Pediatric health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in various consumer products.
  • Exposure to phthalates is widespread among children and adolescents.
  • Previous research suggests potential links between phthalates and adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between urinary phthalate metabolite levels and blood pressure (BP) in children.
  • To examine the relationship between phthalate exposure and serum triglyceride and lipoprotein levels in children.
  • To identify specific phthalate families associated with BP and lipid changes in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of US children aged 6-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2008).
  • Quantification of urinary metabolites for low molecular weight phthalates, high molecular weight phthalates, and di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP).
  • Multivariate regression models assessed associations with BP and lipid levels, controlling for sociodemographic, behavioral, dietary, and body mass index factors.

Main Results:

  • Urinary metabolites of DEHP, a phthalate prevalent in processed foods, were significantly associated with higher systolic BP (z-score increase of 0.041 per log unit increase in metabolites, P = .047).
  • No significant associations were found between phthalate metabolites and diastolic BP, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein levels, or prehypertension.
  • Metabolites of low molecular weight phthalates, common in personal care products, showed no association with BP.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary exposure to DEHP is associated with elevated systolic blood pressure in children and adolescents.
  • These findings highlight a potential environmental risk factor for hypertension in pediatric populations.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and explore intervention strategies to reduce phthalate exposure and its health impacts.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMIBPBlood pressureBody mass indexCDCCenters for Disease Control and PreventionDBPDEHPDi-2-ethylhexylphthalateDiastolic BPHDLHMWHigh molecular weightHigh-density lipoproteinLMWLow molecular weightMBPMECPPMEHHPMEHPMEOHPMEPMono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalateMono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalateMono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalateMono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalateMono-ethyl phthalateMono-n-butyl-phthalateNHANESNational Health and Nutrition Examination SurveySBPSystolic BP

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