Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
Prenatal phthalate exposure, oxidative stress-related genetic vulnerability and early life neurodevelopment: A birth
Anne-Louise Ponsonby1, Christos Symeonides2, Richard Saffery2
1The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to phthalates and genetic vulnerability to oxidative stress are linked to adverse child neurodevelopment, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Combined exposures amplify risks, suggesting a need to re-evaluate current maternal phthalate exposure guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal phthalate exposure is a potential neurodevelopmental risk factor, but findings are inconsistent.
- Oxidative stress mechanisms may mediate phthalate-induced neurodevelopmental effects.
- Genetic predisposition to oxidative stress could modify phthalate impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the interaction between maternal prenatal phthalate levels and infant genetic susceptibility to oxidative stress on child neurodevelopment.
- To investigate the combined effects of prenatal phthalates and other oxidative stress factors on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To assess associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ASD traits, cognition, and inattention/hyperactivity.
Main Methods:
- A population-based birth cohort of 1064 pregnant women in Australia.
- Maternal urine phthalate metabolite measurement at 36 weeks gestation.
- Candidate gene approach to create an oxidative stress genetic score; neurodevelopmental assessments (e.g., BAYLEY-III, ASD questionnaires) at age two.
Main Results:
- Higher prenatal phthalate levels and higher oxidative stress genetic scores were independently associated with increased risk of ASD.
- Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to oxidative stress modified the phthalate-ADHD association.
- Consistent patterns of adverse effects were observed for cognition, ASD, ASD traits, and inattention/hyperactivity when combining genetic vulnerability and phthalate exposure.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal phthalate exposure and infant genetic vulnerability to oxidative stress are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Combined exposures to phthalates and other oxidative stressors (e.g., smoking) increase neurodevelopmental risks.
- Current recommendations and regulations regarding maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy warrant re-evaluation.
Abstract:
Prenatal phthalate chemicals may have adverse effects on brain development by various mechanisms including oxidant damage. However, birth cohort findings have been conflicting. This study aimed to (i) investigate the interplay between maternal prenatal phthalate levels, infant genetic vulnerability to oxidative stress, and child neurodevelopment and (ii) examine combined putative oxidant exposures. In a population-based birth cohort of 1064 women with prenatal recruitment in Victoria, Australia, maternal urine was collected at 36 weeks of pregnancy and phthalate metabolite concentrations measured. An unweighted genetic score for oxidative stress was made using a candidate gene approach. Cognition was assessed using the BAYLEY-III at two years (n = 678). Parents completed questionnaires for doctor diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (1.4 %), ASD traits (4.9 %) and child inattention/hyperactivity (n = 791). Analyses included multiple linear and logistic regression. Higher prenatal phthalate levels and a higher oxidative stress genetic score were each associated with subsequent ASD. Several oxidative stress-related SNPs modified the association between prenatal phthalates and ASD and other outcomes. Consistent patterns were evident across gene score-phthalate combinations for cognition, ASD, ASD traits and inattention/hyperactivity. Other putative oxidant factors such as prenatal smoking further increased risk. Prenatal phthalate levels and infant oxidative stress-related genetic vulnerability are associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Combined exposures are important. Current recommendations and regulation on maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy require re-evaluation.
More Related Videos
07:08Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
08:28Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays
Published on: April 26, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...