Abstract
BackgroundParabens are a group of esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid utilized as antimicrobial preservatives in many personal care products. Epidemiological studies regarding the adverse effects of parabens on fetuses are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the association between placental paraben exposure and birth outcomes. We assessed paraben concentrations in placental tissue, which potentially gives a better understanding of fetal exposure than the maternal urinary concentrations which are the current golden standard.MethodsPlacental tissue was collected immediately after birth from 142 mother-child pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. The placental concentrations of four parabens (methyl (MeP), ethyl (EtP), propyl (PrP), and butyl (BuP)) were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass-spectrometry. Generalized linear regression models were used to determine the association between paraben exposure levels and birth outcomes.ResultsThe geometric means of placental MeP, EtP, PrP, and BuP were 1.84, 2.16, 1.68 and 0.05 ng/g tissue, respectively. The sum of parabens (∑ parabens, including MeP, EtP and PrP) was negatively associated with birth weight in newborn girls (− 166 g, 95% CI: − 322, − 8.6, p = 0.04) after adjustment for a priori selected covariates. The sum of parabens was negatively associated with head circumference (− 0.6 cm, 95% CI: − 1.1, − 0.2, p = 0.008) and borderline associated with birth length (− 0.6 cm, 95% CI:-1.3, 0.1, p = 0.08). In newborn girls the placental concentration of EtP was negatively associated with head circumference (− 0.6 cm, 95% CI:-1.1, − 0.1, p = 0.01) and borderline significantly associated with birth weight and birth length. Lastly, placental EtP and ∑parabens were negatively associated with placental weight in newborn girls but not in newborn boys (− 45.3 g, 95% CI:-86.2, − 4.4, p = 0.03).ConclusionThe negative association between maternal paraben exposure and birth outcomes warrants further research and follow-up over time to determine long term effects of gestational exposure to parabens.
Highlights
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the endocrine system, resulting in adverse health effects [1]
Participating mothers were on average (SD) 30.3 (4.3) years of age, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.2 (5.0)
We found an inverse association between placental EtP and sum of paraben (EtP, MeP and PrP) exposure and birth weight, birth length and head circumference in newborns from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Summary
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the endocrine system, resulting in adverse health effects [1]. A class of EDCs [6], are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with diverse alkyl substituents and are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics. The in utero period is an extremely sensitive time window for environmental exposures as the fetus develops rapidly and perturbations inferred during this period could have lifelong effects on human health [9]. Researchers started to investigate the potential health impact on the newborn of maternal paraben exposure during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the association between placental paraben exposure and birth outcomes. We assessed paraben concentrations in placental tissue, which potentially gives a better understanding of fetal exposure than the maternal urinary concentrations which are the current golden standard
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
