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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Prenatal phthalate exposure and placental size and shape at birth: A birth cohort study

Yuan-Duo Zhu1, Hui Gao1, Kun Huang2

  • 1Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Environmental Research
|October 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to certain phthalates is linked to changes in placental size and shape. These effects, including increased placental thickness, were more pronounced in male offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Perinatal Epidemiology

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to phthalates raises concerns regarding potential adverse effects on placental development.
  • Limited human data exist on the specific associations between phthalate exposure during pregnancy and placental characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between phthalate metabolite concentrations during each trimester of pregnancy and placental size and shape at birth.
  • To explore potential sex-specific differences in these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were measured in 2725 pregnant women across three trimesters.
  • Placental size and shape data were obtained from hospital records.
  • Adjusted multiple regression and linear mixed models were used to analyze sex-specific associations.

Main Results:

  • First-trimester exposure to monobutyl phthalate (MBP) was associated with increased placental breadth.
  • Second-trimester exposure to multiple phthalate metabolites (MMP, MBP, MEOHP, MEHHP) correlated with increased placental thickness.
  • Third-trimester exposure to MBP and monoethyl phthalate (MEHP) was linked to increased placental thickness.
  • Associations between phthalate exposure and increased placental thickness were stronger in male offspring compared to female offspring.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with alterations in placental size and shape, potentially leading to a thicker, more circular placenta.
  • The observed effects suggest a potential impact on fetal development, with stronger associations noted for male infants.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the implications of these findings.
Abstract

Keywords:
ExposurePhthalatePlacentaSize and shapeUrinary metabolites

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