Abstract
Phthalates are a group of ubiquitous synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Fetal and neonatal periods are particularly susceptible to endocrine disorders, which prenatal exposure to phthalates causes. There is increasing evidence concerning the potential endocrine disrupting for phthalate exposure during pregnancy. This article aims to review the endocrine impairment and potential outcomes of prenatal phthalate exposure. Prenatal exposure phthalates would disrupt the levels of thyroid, sex hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in pregnant women or offspring, which results in preterm birth, preeclampsia, maternal glucose disorders, infant cryptorchidism, infant hypospadias, and shorter anogenital distance in newborns, as well as growth restriction not only in infants but also in early adolescence and childhood. The relationship of prenatal phthalate exposure with maternal and neonatal outcomes in human beings was often sex-specific associations. Because of the potentially harmful influence of prenatal phthalate exposure, steps should be taken to prevent or reduce phthalate exposure during pregnancy.
Highlights
Phthalates are a family of endocrine-disrupting chemicals broadly used as plasticizers in various industrial commodities [1]
In a large population study (n = 3,220), maternal urinary concentrations of MEP, MEOHP, MEHHP, and ΣHMWP were significantly correlated to higher odds of embryonic loss, and MEHHP was positively associated with fetal loss after stratified analysis by gestational weeks [60]
The logistic analysis revealed that DEHP exposure measured by hair was an important factor contributing to the missed abortion in a Chinese study [66]. These findings revealed that the exposure of phthalates during early pregnancy led to an increased risk of pregnancy loss and might be an independent risk factor for pregnancy loss
Summary
Phthalates are a family of endocrine-disrupting chemicals broadly used as plasticizers in various industrial commodities [1]. DEHP has been detected in atmospheric particulate matter, fresh water and sediments, soil, and landfills with 0.54–689 ng/m3, not detected (N.D.) to 197 μg/L, N.D. to 34,800 μg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 63,000 μg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 232.50 μg/L, respectively [2]. They would be delivered to the human body and accumulated through diet, inhalation, and skin contact and rapidly transforming into even more toxic metabolites [2,3,4]. The metabolites of phthalate can cross the placenta and be detected in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and neonatal meconium [5] and participate in embryo development and growth
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