Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and phthalates and childhood respiratory tract infections and allergy - 05/02/15
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Abstract |
Background |
There is growing concern that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are widely used in consumer products, might affect susceptibility to infections and the development of allergy and asthma in children, but there are currently very few prospective studies.
Objective |
We sought to evaluate whether prenatal exposure to BPA and phthalates increases the risk of respiratory and allergic outcomes in children at various ages from birth to 7 years.
Methods |
We measured BPA and metabolites of high-molecular-weight phthalates, 4 di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (Σ4DEHP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and 3 low-molecular-weight phthalate (LMWP) metabolites (Σ3LMWP) in urine samples collected during the first and third trimesters in pregnant women participating in the Infancia y Medio Ambiente–Sabadell birth cohort study. The occurrence of chest infections, bronchitis, wheeze, and eczema in children was assessed at ages 6 and 14 months and 4 and 7 years through questionnaires given to the mothers. Atopy (specific IgE measurement) and asthma (questionnaire) were assessed at ages 4 and 7 years, respectively.
Results |
The relative risks (RRs) of wheeze (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40; P = .02), chest infections (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32; P = .05), and bronchitis (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.37; P = .04) at any age increased for each doubling in concentration of maternal urinary BPA. Σ4DEHP metabolites were associated with the same outcomes (wheeze: RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04-1.50, P = .02; chest infections: RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.97-1.35; P = .11; bronchitis: RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.43; P = .04). MBzP was associated with higher risk of wheeze (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.33; P = .05). The risk of asthma at age 7 years was also increased with increasing prenatal BPA, Σ4DEHP, and MBzP exposure. There were no other exposure-outcome associations.
Conclusions |
Prenatal exposure to BPA and high-molecular-weight phthalates might increase the risk of asthma symptoms and respiratory tract infections throughout childhood.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Bisphenol A, phthalates, eczema, wheeze, chest infections, bronchitis, asthma, specific IgE, atopy, children
Abbreviations used : BPA, DAG, DEHP, INMA, LMWP, LOD, MBzP, MECPP, MEHHP, MEHP, MEOHP, MEP, MiBP, MnBP, RR
Plan
Supported by a research grant from the RecerCaixa (2010ACUP 00349). The Infancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project received further funds from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red INMA G03/176, CB06/02/0041), the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS-PI041436 and FIS-PI081151), Generalitat de Catalunya (CIRIT 1999SGR 00241), the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR; FI-DGR 2012), and Fundació “La Marató de TV3” (090430). |
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Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: M. Gascon has received funding from the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants. The rest of the authors declare that they have no relevant conflicts of interest. |
Vol 135 - N° 2
P. 370 - février 2015 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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