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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Prenatal phthalate exposure and emotional-behavioral problems in children aged 1.5 to 3 years from the PROTECT birth

Seonyoung Park1, Deborah J Watkins1, Bhramar Mukherjee2

  • 1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
|June 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to phthalates and their replacements is linked to early childhood emotional and behavioral problems (EBP). Reducing exposure during critical pregnancy windows may mitigate risks, though mixture effects require further study.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Toxicology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Phthalates are endocrine disruptors with widespread human exposure, particularly concerning during pregnancy.
  • Prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with adverse child neurodevelopmental and emotional/behavioral outcomes (EBP).
  • Knowledge gaps exist regarding emerging phthalate replacements and the effects of phthalate mixtures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and replacements with early childhood EBP.
  • To investigate individual and mixture effects of these exposures.

Main Methods:

  • 306 mother-child pairs from the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico were analyzed.
  • Maternal urine phthalate metabolite concentrations were measured across gestation.
  • Early childhood EBP were assessed from 1.5 to 3 years old using negative binomial regression and mixture analyses.

Main Results:

  • Specific phthalate metabolites (e.g., DEHP, DIBP) were linked to EBP in single-pollutant analyses.
  • The replacement chemical DEHTP showed associations at 26 weeks' gestation.
  • Mixture analyses identified key metabolites but no significant overall mixture effect.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal phthalate exposure may contribute to early childhood EBP, especially during specific gestational periods.
  • Reducing prenatal phthalate exposure is a critical public health goal.
  • Further research on mixture effects and critical exposure windows is necessary.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early childhoodEmotional and behavioral problemMixturePhthalatePrenatal exposure

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