Maternal Phthalate Exposure and Allergic Diseases in Children: A Meta-Analysis and Network Toxicology

Several studies suggest a relationship between phthalates (PAEs) and allergic diseases in children. Therefore, we speculated that PAE exposure may be an important environmental factor causing allergic diseases. The present study employed meta-analysis and network toxicology to analyze the interactions and assess potential pathogenic pathways between prenatal and postnatal PAE exposure and childhood allergic diseases. This study found that prenatal PAEs exposure was positively associated with childhood wheezing and eczema (OR = 1.03, 1.05), and postnatal PAEs exposure was positively associated with childhood wheezing, eczema, and rhinitis (OR = 1.10, 1.05, 1.06). PAE exposure from dust may elicit distinct effects compared to direct exposure to PAEs. Furthermore, a large number of overlapping genes between disease targets and PAEs were identified. Enrichment analysis highlighted the association of PAE-targeted genes with biological pathways integral to allergic diseases. Molecular docking results indicated a strong link between the PAEs and the core proteins, such as SRC, AKT1, and HSP90AA1. These proteins are critically involved in the regulation of immune-inflammatory processes underlying allergic diseases. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the relationship between environmental pollutants and child health but also provides a robust reference for experimental studies on the induction of childhood diseases by early-life exposure to environmental pollutants.