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A longitudinal study of urinary phthalate excretion in 58 full-term and 67 preterm infants from birth through 14

Hanne Frederiksen1, Tanja Kuiri-Hänninen, Katharina M Main

  • 1University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Environmental Health Perspectives
|June 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show higher phthalate exposure and antiandrogenic risk than full-term infants in early life. Phthalate metabolite levels normalize over time, suggesting developing metabolic pathways in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neonatal Toxicology
  • Endocrine Disruption

Background:

  • Phthalates are linked to antiandrogenic effects in animal studies.
  • Premature infants face potential high phthalate exposure during hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess longitudinal phthalate exposure and metabolism in full-term and preterm infants.
  • To evaluate antiandrogenic risk associated with phthalate exposure in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 58 full-term and 67 preterm infants, collecting 894 urine samples until 14 months.
  • Measured urinary phthalate metabolites (DEP, DiBP, DnBP, BBzP, DEHP, DiNP).
  • Estimated daily intake and hazard index for antiandrogenic effects.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants had 5-50x higher BBzP, DiNP, and DEHP metabolites at Day 7 and Month 1.
  • Over 80% of preterm and 30% of full-term infants exceeded the antiandrogenic hazard threshold at 7 days postpartum.
  • Metabolite excretion patterns changed with infant age, indicating evolving metabolic capacity.

Conclusions:

  • Most preterm and many full-term infants experienced potentially harmful phthalate exposure levels early in life.
  • Metabolic pathway maturation influences phthalate metabolite profiles during the first year.
  • Further research is crucial for understanding health impacts and infant metabolic changes related to phthalates.
Abstract

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