Effects of early exposure to phthalates and bisphenols on cardiometabolic outcomes in pregnancy and childhood

Abstract

Pregnant women are exposed to various chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates and bisphenols. Increasing evidence suggests that early life exposures to phthalates and bisphenols may contribute to cardiometabolic risks. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize current knowledge of the effects of fetal and childhood exposure to phthalates and bisphenols on child growth and child cardiometabolic outcomes and the effects on maternal outcomes. In total, 54 studies were identified and included. The majority of studies found effects of phthalates and bisphenols on maternal, child growth, and cardiometabolic outcomes. Currently results suggest that early life exposure to phthalates and bisphenols may have a substantial influence on perinatal and postnatal cardiometabolic programming. In a large part of the investigated outcomes studies show contradictory results. However, the majority of the existing evidence is based on non-cohort studies with single samples neglecting time-variant effects and complicating conclusions regarding causal inference. More studies are needed investigating the mechanisms and its potential interactions.

Bisphenol and phthalate concentrations and its determinants among pregnant women in a population-based cohort in the Netherlands, 2004–5

“…DEHP seems to be of major concern, which is widespread in food packaging (Serrano et al, 2014). Also bisphenols are potentially transferred into food items from food packaging, including the lining of metal cans (Liao and Kannan, 2013; Philips et al, 2016). In previous studies, high consumption of canned vegetables and canned fish was associated with higher BPA concentrations in pregnant women (Braun et al, 2011; Casas et al, 2013).…”

“…Conversely, in our study we found strong associations between pre-pregnancy BMI in the obesity range and higher HMW phthalate concentrations. Phthalates, and bisphenols to some extent, are lipophilic chemicals (Philips et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2015). Even though we cannot rule out that obese women are more exposed to HMW phthalates, it seems metabolically feasible that obese women have greater adipose stores of lipophilic chemicals.…”

“…An increasing body of evidence suggests that early life exposure to bisphenols and phthalates may lead to several adverse short and long term health effects (Philips et al, 2016). Diet is considered an important source of bisphenol and phthalate exposure (Lorber et al, 2015; Schecter et al, 2013; Schettler, 2006).…”

Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and maternal weight during early pregnancy

“…Of the studies that have evaluated this question, one study found positive associations with MnBP, and MBzP (Song et al 2014), while another found inverse cross-sectional associations with MEHP (Hatch et al 2008). Recent studies have investigated phthalate exposure during pregnancy as it relates with the risk of major pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preterm birth (James-Todd et al 2016; Huang et al 2016; Philips et al 2016; Ferguson et al 2014; Ferguson et al 2015; Werner et al 2015). While studies have evaluated pregnancy phthalate metabolite concentrations, to our knowledge, this is among the first study to focus on maternal obesity measures as a primary outcome.…”

DOHaD (Barker-hipotézis): egy betegségorientált, korszakalkotó, brit eredetű teória, magyar gyökerekkel

“…A jellemzően negatív hatások mellett szórványosan máris lehet pozitívakat találni, de bármelyik általánosításához még hosszú időnek kell eltelnie. Így a megítélésben, ami egyedi szempontból tragédia, az a faj jövője szempontjából lehet előny [41][42][43][44][45][46]. Az orvos azonban nem a fajt gyógyítja, hanem az egyént, így mindenképpen küzdenie kell a DOHaD (hormonális imprinting) megnyilvánulásai ellen, amihez a DOHaD lehetőség szerinti felismerése, és ha erre mód nyílik, hatásának megelőzése szükséges.…”