Urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

BackgroundPreterm infants (PTI) in the NICU are often placed in incubators that may increase their exposure to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). To determine whether PTI in incubators have higher urinary concentrations of VOC metabolites compared with infants in cribs.MethodsUrine from 40 PTI in incubators and 40 infants in cribs was collected and analyzed for 28 urinary VOC biomarkers. Differences in metabolite concentrations between the two groups were compared.ResultsTwenty two of the VOC metabolites were detected in at least one urine sample. All urine samples tested had measurable levels of six VOC metabolites. Biomarkers for acrolein, acrylonitrile, carbon disulfide, cyanide, N-dimethylformamide, ethylbenzene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, styrene, toluene/benzyl alcohol, vinyl chloride, and xylene were higher in the incubator group. The geometric means of five VOC metabolites were 2-fold higher than those reported for NHANES children 6-11 years of age in one or both of the groups with benzyl mercapturic acid being 7-fold and 12-fold greater than NHANES in the crib and incubator group, respectively.ConclusionAll infants were exposed to VOCs. PTI in incubators have a different VOC exposure profile compared with infants in cribs. The health implications associated with these exposures require further study.

Fecal Volatile Organic Compound Profiles are Not Influenced by Gestational Age and Mode of Delivery: A Longitudinal Multicenter Cohort Study

“…In the past decade, metabolic research has pointed to new potential biomarkers for various medical conditions, including oncologic, inflammatory, endocrine, and infectious diseases in both adults and children [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. The sensitivity of a metabolomics approach to detect subtle alterations in metabolic pathways can, in addition, provide insight into mechanisms underlying various (patho)physiological conditions [33].…”

Volatile organic compounds as disease predictors in newborn infants: a systematic review

“…As demonstrated by El-Metwally [30], the link between VOCs measures and their potential role as a disease biomarker may be confounded by differential environmental exposures or pre-emptive therapeutic interventions. Preterm infants in particular are at high risk of absorbing environmental compounds, and have immature secretory and excretory pathways.…”

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Western diet unmasks transient low-level vinyl chloride exposure-induced tumorigenesis; potential role of the (epi-)transcriptome

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