Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Measurement Of Neuromagnetic Brain Function In Pre-school Children With Custom Sized MEG
Published on: February 19, 2010
[Association between the internal exposure levels of phthalates and executive function of preschool children]
1Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China.
Insights
Exposure to phthalates (PAEs) may negatively impact preschool children's executive function (EF). Higher levels of specific PAE metabolites, MEHHP and MEOHP, were linked to increased risks of inhibitory self-control index (ISCI) dysplasia.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are common environmental contaminants.
- Prenatal and early-life exposure to PAEs is a growing public health concern.
- Executive function (EF) is critical for cognitive and behavioral development in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between internal exposure levels of PAEs and EF in preschool children.
- To identify specific PAE metabolites potentially affecting children's cognitive development.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 3,725 preschool children (aged 3-6 years) with follow-up data.
- Urine samples analyzed for seven PAE metabolites using HPLC-MS/MS.
- Executive function assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P).
- Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- High concentrations of mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) were associated with increased risk of inhibitory self-control index (ISCI) dysplasia.
- Elevated total PAEs metabolite levels also correlated with a higher risk of ISCI dysplasia.
- Detection rates for most PAE metabolites were very high, indicating widespread exposure.
Conclusions:
- Phthalate exposure during early childhood may adversely affect executive function.
- Specific PAE metabolites, MEHHP and MEOHP, are potential contributors to EF deficits.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and long-term implications of PAE exposure on child development.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the association between the internal exposure levels of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and executive function (EF) of preschool children. Methods: Between October 2008 and October 2010, pregnant women who accepted pregnancy health care services in four municipal medical and health institutions in Ma'anshan city, Anhui Province, were recruited as study objects. A total of 5 084 pregnant women and 4 669 singleton live births were enrolled in this cohort. The follow-up study was conducted from April 2014 to April 2015. A total of 3 725 data-completed preschool children aged 3 to 6 years older entered in this study. The method of analysis seven metabolites of phthalates in urine was high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and divided objects into low (P(0)-P(24)), medium (P(25)-P(74)) and high (P(75)-P(100)) groups according to their exposure concentrations. To investigate the executive function of preschool children, we used the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P). Univariate and multivariate statistical method was used to analyze the etiology association between the phthalate metabolites levels and preschool children's executive function. Results: In this study, 53.6% (1 997/3 725) of preschoolers were boys, children's age was (51.5±5.6) months. The detection rates of seven phthalate esters were: mono-n-methyl phthalate (MMP) was 99.89% (3 721/3 725); mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) was 99.97% (3 724/3 725); mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) was 69.10% (2 574/3 725); mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono- (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) were 100.00% and mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) was 99.95% (3 723/3 725). The median concentrations of the seven phthalate metabolites were: 17.71, 15.36, 0.07, 155.24, 10.73, 14.67, 3.59 µg/L, respectively. The median concentrations corrected by urinary creatinine were 29.65, 26.65, 0.12, 257.73, 17.94, 24.80, 6.27 µg/g Cr, respectively. The P(25) and P(7)5 concentration of the total PAEs metabolites corrected by urinary creatinine were 1.20 µmol/g Cr and 3.04 µmol/g Cr. After adjusted the relevant demographic information: children sex, children age in month, maternal age, parental education levels, household exposure to secondhand smoke and whether the child is the only child as confounds, multivariate logistic regression model showed that the risk of inhibitory self-control index (ISCI) dysplasia in MEHHP high concentration group and MEOHP high concentration group were 1.71 and 1.54 times (OR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.11-2.62; OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.01-2.34) than in low concentration group. The risk of ISCI dysplasia in total PAEs metabolites high concentration group was 1.55 times (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.00-2.38) than in low concentration group. Conclusion: Phthalates exposure may damage the executive function of preschool children.
Related Concept Videos
02:00Internal Energy
01:29Internal Energy
01:31Internal Receptors
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
01:27Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
01:09Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...