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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
6.7K
Pre-pubertal exposure with phthalates and bisphenol A and pubertal development.
Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg1, Jürgen Wittsiepe1, Katharina Wald1
1Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Plos One
|November 21, 2017
Summary
Childhood exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) may delay pubertal development, especially in girls. Associations in boys were inconsistent, with some phthalates potentially accelerating development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) is common.
- Previous epidemiological studies suggest a link between these exposures and pubertal development.
- The specific impact of pre-pubertal exposure on longitudinal sexual maturation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between pre-pubertal body burden of phthalates and BPA and the longitudinally assessed sexual maturation in children aged 8–13 years.
- To investigate potential sex-specific effects of these chemical exposures on pubertal timing.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 472 children (8–10 years old at baseline) provided urine samples for phthalate metabolite and BPA quantification.
- Pubertal development was assessed annually for three years using Puberty Development scale questionnaires (PD scales).
- Longitudinal associations were analyzed using generalized estimation equations (GEE), including non-linear effects.
Main Results:
- In girls, exposure to di-hexyl-ethyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, and mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) was associated with delayed pubertal development.
- Significant non-linear associations were observed for DEHP metabolites and BPA with PD scores in girls.
- In boys, associations were inconsistent, with only ∑DEHP metabolites showing a potential acceleration of development.
Conclusions:
- Pre-pubertal exposure to phthalates and BPA shows indications of association with pubertal timing, particularly in girls.
- Observed associations in boys were inconsistent and did not align with expected anti-androgenic effects.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationships between environmental chemical exposures and child development.
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