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Relationship of parental phthalate exposure with fetal growth and placental development at birth
Hye Jin Chang1, Yoon Hee Cho2, Yeong Sook Yoon3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Parental phthalate exposure during pregnancy may impact fetal growth and placental development. This study found associations between specific phthalate metabolites in maternal and paternal urine and newborn birth weight and placenta weight.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Perinatal Development
Background:
- Prenatal phthalate exposure is linked to fetal growth effects, but findings are inconclusive.
- Investigating parental phthalate exposure is crucial for understanding infant development.
- Birth cohort studies provide valuable insights into environmental influences on newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between parental phthalate exposure and newborn birth outcomes.
- To analyze phthalate metabolite levels in maternal and paternal urine.
- To assess impacts on fetal growth, birth weight, and placental development.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 73 pregnant women-newborn-father triads.
- Collected demographic, behavioral, and clinical data.
- Quantified 16 phthalate metabolites in parental urine samples.
Main Results:
- Correlations found between maternal and paternal phthalate metabolite levels.
- Maternal phthalates associated with sex-specific birth weight and ponderal index.
- Parental phthalates linked to variations in newborn placenta weight, with sex-specific effects.
Conclusions:
- Parental phthalate exposure may negatively affect fetal growth and placental development.
- Specific phthalate metabolites show differential associations with birth outcomes.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm these findings.
Background:
Prenatal exposure to phthalates is reported to influence fetal growth and may lead to lasting adverse effects on infants and their future development; yet, the results remain inconclusive.
Objective:
This study utilized a birth cohort of 73 pregnant women-newborn pairs, including biological fathers (73 triads), to investigate the relationship between parental phthalate exposure during pregnancy and birth outcomes in newborns.
Methods:
Demographic, behavioral, and clinical information, along with urine samples from both parents, were collected prior to delivery. Sixteen phthalate metabolites were quantified in urine samples.
Results:
Significant correlations were observed between six phthalate metabolites (MEP, MiBP, MnBP, MBzP, MEHP, and 5cx-MEPP) in maternal urine and paternal levels. Maternal MBzP was positively associated with boys' birth weight, whereas maternal 2cx-MMHP was negatively associated with girls' birth weight. The ponderal index of boys was negatively related to maternal MBzP and MMP, but positively associated with ∑MEHP-3 and ∑MEHP-5 after adjusting for confounding variables. Among paternal phthalates, MBzP showed a negative association with boys' ponderal index, whereas MEP showed a positive association. Maternal MEOHP, ∑MEHP-3, and ∑MEHP-5 were positively associated with boys' placenta weight, while MEOHP, MEHHP, 5cx-MEPP, ∑MEHP-3, and ∑MEHP-5 were negatively associated with girls' placenta weight.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that parental exposure to phthalates at birth may adversely affect fetal growth and placental development in neonates. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and datasets are necessary.
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