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The Endocrine Disruption of Prenatal Phthalate Exposure in Mother and Offspring

Yiyu Qian1, Hailing Shao1, Xinxin Ying1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Frontiers in Public Health
|September 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to phthalates, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can harm maternal and infant health. Reducing exposure during pregnancy is crucial for preventing adverse outcomes like preterm birth and developmental issues.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Toxicology

Background:

  • Phthalates are widespread synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
  • Fetal and neonatal periods are critical windows of vulnerability to endocrine disruption.
  • Prenatal phthalate exposure is increasingly linked to adverse health effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review endocrine impairment caused by prenatal phthalate exposure.
  • To examine potential maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with prenatal phthalate exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on prenatal phthalate exposure and endocrine disruption.
  • Analysis of evidence linking phthalate exposure to hormonal imbalances and health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal phthalate exposure disrupts thyroid, sex hormone, and vitamin D levels.
  • Associated outcomes include preterm birth, preeclampsia, maternal glucose disorders, infant cryptorchidism/hypospadias, shorter anogenital distance, and growth restriction.
  • Effects are often sex-specific in humans.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal phthalate exposure poses significant risks to maternal and offspring endocrine health.
  • Preventive measures to reduce phthalate exposure during pregnancy are recommended.
  • Further research into sex-specific effects and long-term consequences is warranted.

Keywords:
birth outcomesendocrine disruptorsphthalatepregnancy outcomesprenatal exposure

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