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Early life phthalate exposure and atopic disorders in children: a prospective birth cohort study

I-Jen Wang1, Ching-Chun Lin, Yen-Ju Lin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan; China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Environment International
|October 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early life exposure to certain phthalates, like mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), may increase children's risk of allergic sensitization and atopic dermatitis (AD). Higher MEHP levels at age 2 correlated with elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) in boys.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The impact of phthalate exposure on immune system development and atopic disorders is not fully understood.
  • Phthalates are common endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many consumer products.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal and early postnatal phthalate exposure and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children.
  • To utilize objective biomarkers for assessing phthalate exposure and allergic outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 483 mother/infant pairs (Taiwan Birth Panel study).
  • Urine samples collected during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and at ages 2 and 5 years.
  • Analysis of phthalate metabolites (MEP, MBP, MBzP, MEHP) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Assessment of serum total IgE levels and diagnosis of AD at ages 2 and 5 years.
  • Statistical analysis using multivariate linear and logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Phthalate metabolite levels were highest at age 2.
  • Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) levels at age 2 showed a positive correlation with serum IgE, particularly in boys.
  • Monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) levels at age 2 were significantly associated with the development of AD.
  • No significant associations were found for other phthalate metabolites with IgE or AD.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life exposure to specific phthalates, such as MEHP and MBzP, may contribute to an increased risk of allergic sensitization and atopic disorders in children.
  • Gender differences may influence the relationship between phthalate exposure and allergic outcomes.

Keywords:
ADAtopic dermatitisBBzPCohort studyDBPDEHPDEPGMIgEMBPMBzPMEHPMEPatopic dermatitisbutyl benzyl phthalatedi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalatedibutyl phthalatediethylphthalategeometric meanimmunoglobulin Emono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalatemonobenzyl phthalatemonobutyl phthalatemonoethyl phthalate

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