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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Published on: March 6, 2018

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Pregnancy exposure to individual phthalate concentrations and their mixtures in relation to pediatric serum antibody

Marina Oktapodas Feiler1, Michele Salerno2,3, Sally A Quataert4

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA. marinaok@buffalo.edu.

European Journal of Epidemiology
|March 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Gestational exposure to a replacement phthalate, MECPTP, was linked to lower pediatric antibody levels for diphtheria and mumps vaccines. This suggests potential risks of newer phthalates to child immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Phthalates are common endocrine disruptors.
  • Exposure during pregnancy may affect child development and immunity.
  • Replacement phthalates require further safety evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between prenatal phthalate exposure and pediatric vaccine antibody response.
  • To explore potential sex-dimorphic effects on immune response.
  • To investigate phthalate mixtures and their impact on antibody levels.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal cohort study (PROGRESS Study) in Mexico City.
  • Measured 15 phthalate metabolites in maternal urine (2nd/3rd trimester).
  • Quantified IgG antibody levels to 6 childhood vaccines at age 4.7.
  • Used linear regression and Quantile G-Computational methods for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Increased MECPTP (mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl terephthalate) exposure was associated with decreased diphtheria and mumps antibody levels.
  • No statistically significant sex differences were observed.
  • Mixtures analysis showed similar trends but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to MECPTP, a replacement phthalate, may negatively impact pediatric vaccine antibody response.
  • This highlights potential risks of alternative phthalates to child immune health.
  • Further research is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate mechanisms.

Keywords:
DTPGestationIn-uteroMMRPlasticizersSex-differencesVaccine

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