Prenatal and postnatal bisphenol A exposure and asthma development among inner-city children

Abstract

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is used widely to manufacture food container linings. Mouse models suggest exposure to BPA might increase allergic inflammation. Objectives We hypothesized that BPA exposure, as assessed based on urinary BPA concentrations, would be associated with increased odds of wheeze and asthma and increased fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) values in children. Methods The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health recruited pregnant women for a prospective birth cohort study (n = 568). Mothers during the third trimester and children at ages 3, 5, and 7 years provided spot urine samples. Total urinary BPA concentrations were measured by using online solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography, isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Wheeze in the last 12 months was measured by using questionnaires at ages 5, 6, and 7 years. Asthma was determined by a physician once between ages 5 and 12 years. FENO values were measured at ages 7 to 11 years. Results Prenatal urinary BPA concentrations were associated inversely with wheeze at age 5 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.9; P = .02). Urinary BPA concentrations at age 3 years were associated positively with wheeze at ages 5 years (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8; P = .02) and 6 years (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0–1.9; P = .03). BPA concentrations at age 7 years were associated with wheeze at age 7 years (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0–1.9; P = .04) and FENO values (β = 0.1; 95% CI, 0.02–0.2; P = .02). BPA concentrations at ages 3, 5, and 7 years were associated with asthma (OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1–2.0], P = .005; OR, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.0–1.9], P = .03; and OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.0–2.1], P = .04, respectively). Conclusions This is the first report of an association between postnatal urinary BPA concentrations and asthma in children.

Prenatal exposure to phthalates, bisphenol A and perfluoroalkyl substances and cord blood levels of IgE, TSLP and IL-33

“…A birth cohort study from the mid-west US (Spanier et al, 2012) reported a positive association between maternal urinary Table 5 Birth cohort studies examining the association between prenatal exposure to phthalates, BPA or perfluoroalkyl substances and measures of childhood allergy. Study BPA levels and childhood wheeze whereas the NY birth cohort investigators (Donohue et al, 2013) reported an inverse association. In contrast, in the present study we identified a nonlinear association between BPA and elevated IgE.…”

Bisphenol A – Application, sources of exposure and potential risks in infants, children and pregnant women

“…The results indicate that this correlation decreases along with the age of the child. Donohue et al (2013) [106] conducted a study on 568 pregnant women and children 3, 5 and 7 years old. They collected urine samples from women during pregnancy and from children, and additionally, a questionnaire survey on the prevalence of wheeze according to age was performed.…”

Early-life origins of chronic respiratory diseases: understanding and promoting healthy ageing

“…It was recently demonstrated that prenatal and early-life exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a xenooestrogen used to manufacture plastics (e.g. for toys and drinking vessels), is associated with an increased risk of wheezing and asthma [67,68]. The phthalates used in numerous plastic consumer products have also attracted attention and there is converging evidence that exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and benzylbutylphthalate during childhood is associated with the development of allergic disease [69].…”