Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and parabens and birth outcomes: The Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS)

The developing fetuses are highly susceptible to the harmful effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens, has been increasingly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This study recruited 944 pregnant women from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS) between 2012 and 2015. Urine samples and structured questionnaires were collected from participants during the third trimester. Maternal urinary BPA and paraben concentrations were quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS).

The use of certain leave-on personal care products showed a significant positive association with methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP) levels. Maternal PP exposure levels were positively associated with the ponderal index in male neonates (β = 0.03, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.06). In female neonates, a significant negative correlation was found between maternal butyl paraben levels and thoracic circumference (β = -0.13, 95 % CI: -0.25-0.01). Standardized birth outcomes revealed marginally significant associations between ethyl paraben, head circumference, and MP and head circumference in male and female neonates (p < 0.10).

These findings underscore the potential influence of prenatal paraben exposure on neonatal anthropometry, highlighting sex-specific patterns in birth outcomes. The observed associations warrant further studies to clarify their biological and clinical implications.