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A benchmark dose study of prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and behavioral problems in children

Chu-Chih Chen1, Yin-Han Wang1, Wei J Chen2

  • 1Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
|June 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is linked to child behavioral issues. The established benchmark dose (BMDL) suggests current safety limits may not fully protect against these neurodevelopmental effects.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Toxicology
  • Neurobehavioral Science

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a growing concern for child neurodevelopment.
  • Existing tolerable daily intake (TDI) and reference dose (RfD) levels may not adequately protect against observed behavioral syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the benchmark dose (BMD) for prenatal DEHP exposure related to neurodevelopmental health in children.
  • To assess the dose-response relationship between maternal DEHP intake and child behavioral outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 122 mother-child pairs from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study.
  • Utilized multivariate and mixed-effects regression models to link maternal DEHP intake with Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores at ages 8, 11, and 14.
  • Employed structural equation modeling to derive an integrated behavioral score and establish the benchmark dose lower limit (BMDL).

Main Results:

  • Significant associations were found between maternal DEHP exposure and various CBCL scores in children.
  • The derived BMDL was 6.01 (2.16) μg/kg_bw/day for an integrated CBCL score, with a benchmark response of 0.10 (0.05).
  • Median maternal DEHP exposure was 4.54 μg/kg_bw/day.

Conclusions:

  • Current TDI (50 μg/kg_bw/day) and RfD (20 μg/kg_bw/day) for DEHP may be insufficient to prevent behavioral problems in children.
  • Further toxicological research is needed due to a lack of comparable data.
  • Highlights the potential risks of DEHP exposure during critical developmental windows.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child behavior checklistReference doseStructural equation modelsTaiwan maternal and infant cohort studyTolerable daily intake

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