Developmental neurotoxicity of ortho-phthalate diesters: Review of human and experimental evidence

Prenatal exposure to phthalates and neuropsychological development during childhood

“…In the light of multiple testing issues and in the absence of consistency of results across ages and within phthalate metabolites, we consider it likely that the few statistically significant associations observed may be due to chance and they should therefore be interpreted with caution. Despite inconsistencies between studies and the few associations obtained in the present work, several mechanisms have been described to explain the potential health effects of phthalates on the developing brain, including hormonal disruption (thyroid hormones), alteration of the calcium signaling and the lipid metabolism and the activation of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors (PPAR) (Boas et al, 2012;Miodovnik et al, 2014). Several factors could explain our findings and those of previous studies.…”

“…In humans, several prospective birth cohort studies, most of them including a relatively small study population, have reported adverse effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on the cognitive, psychomotor and behavioral development of children (Table 1). However, reported effects are not consistent across the different phthalate congeners and outcomes assessed and, additionally, there is not a clear gender specificity of the effects observed (Bellinger, 2013;Miodovnik et al, 2014). One of the main limitations of previous studies is that prenatal phthalate exposure was determined in a single spot urine measurement, which can lead to exposure misclassification, as phthalates have a short half-life (of hours) and are rapidly excreted from the body (Hoppin et al, 2002;Braun et al, 2013).…”

“…Phthalates are synthetic chemical compounds produced in large quantities and widely used in a range of consumer products including cosmetics, plastics, carpets, building materials, toys and medical and cleaning products (Bellinger, 2013;Braun et al, 2013;Miodovnik et al, 2014). The general population is exposed to phthalates mainly through diet, which is the most likely exposure route for the high molecular weight phthalates, and personal care products, which are the most likely exposure route for the low molecular weight phthalates (Hoppin et al, 2002;Braun et al, 2013;Miodovnik et al, 2014).…”

“…The general population is exposed to phthalates mainly through diet, which is the most likely exposure route for the high molecular weight phthalates, and personal care products, which are the most likely exposure route for the low molecular weight phthalates (Hoppin et al, 2002;Braun et al, 2013;Miodovnik et al, 2014). Previous studies on animals have suggested that prenatal exposure to phthalates can increase the risk of impaired neurodevelopment (Bellinger, 2013;MartinezArguelles et al, 2013;Miodovnik et al, 2014). In humans, several prospective birth cohort studies, most of them including a relatively small study population, have reported adverse effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on the cognitive, psychomotor and behavioral development of children (Table 1).…”

Season-dependent concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites among Chinese pregnant women: Repeated measures analysis

“…preterm birth, low birth weight and decreased birth length) Huang et al, 2009;Latini et al, 2003;Meeker et al, 2009;Minatoya et al, 2017;Philippat et al, 2012;Wolff et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009), and impaired children growth (Valvi et al, 2015) and neurodevelopment (e.g. lower IQ, problems with attention, hyperactivity and poorer social communication) (Miodovnik et al, 2014). Furthermore, during the critical period of foetal/child development such as in utero period and the first few years of life, exposure to environmental chemicals will increase disease risk later in life (Barouki et al, 2012).…”