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In utero effects of maternal phthalate exposure on male genital development

Rebecca J Wineland1, Michael S Bloom2, Lori Cruze3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Prenatal Diagnosis
|November 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Maternal exposure to phthalates, common in personal care products, may impact fetal penile development. This effect varies significantly by race, with potential adverse effects noted, particularly for African American males.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Prenatal Development

Background:

  • Phthalates are widely used in consumer products, leading to ubiquitous maternal exposure.
  • Phthalates possess anti-androgenic properties, yet their impact on in utero male penile development remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between early pregnancy phthalate exposure and fetal penile development.
  • To assess if this association differs across racial groups.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study included women with singleton pregnancies undergoing prenatal ultrasound.
  • Maternal urine samples were analyzed for eight phthalate metabolites.
  • Multiple linear regression models assessed phthalate levels as predictors of penile measurements, controlling for covariates and including race interactions.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant interactions between phthalate exposure and race were observed for penile width.
  • Trends suggested race-dependent effects on penile length and volume, with generally positive associations for White and negative for African American fetuses.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal penile development is significantly influenced by race.
  • The impact of maternal phthalate exposure on penile development is race-specific.
  • Maternal phthalate exposure may negatively affect in utero penile growth, especially in African American pregnancies.
Abstract

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