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Phthalate exposure and childrens neurodevelopment: A systematic review

Maede Ejaredar1, Elias C Nyanza1, Kayla Ten Eycke2

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Environmental Research
|June 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to phthalates is linked to negative impacts on children's neurodevelopment, including lower IQ and attention issues. This systematic review highlights the need for further research on phthalate metabolites and child development to inform health policies.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Observational studies indicate prenatal phthalate exposure may impact child neurodevelopment.
  • Phthalates are common chemicals found in many consumer products.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review existing literature on the association between urinary phthalate concentrations and children's neurodevelopment.
  • To synthesize findings on phthalate exposure and cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of multiple electronic databases and conference abstracts up to February 2014.
  • Inclusion of original studies examining prenatal or childhood urinary phthalate metabolites and neurodevelopmental outcomes (0-12 years).
  • Data extraction and screening conducted by two independent reviewers.

Main Results:

  • Eleven original articles met the inclusion criteria after screening 2804 abstracts.
  • The reviewed studies consistently reported associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic review supports the link between prenatal phthalate exposure and adverse cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children.
  • Outcomes include lower IQ, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impaired social communication.
  • Further research is needed to identify specific phthalate metabolite associations and inform mitigation strategies and health policy.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavior outcomesChild exposureCognitive outcomesPhthalatesPrenatal exposure

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