Prenatal di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate exposure and cord blood adipokine levels and birth size: The Hokkaido study on environment and children's health

Abstract

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widely used phthalates. Metabolites of DEHP are detectable in majority of the population. Findings on adverse health outcomes, particularly birth weight in association with prenatal exposure to DEHP remain equivocal. Besides, there is insufficient evidence to address influence on metabolic function from epidemiological studies. Thus, our objective was to investigate cord blood adipokine levels and birth size in association with prenatal DEHP exposure in prospective birth cohort study. Mono-2-methylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), primary metabolite of DEHP was determined as exposure by using maternal blood sample of 3rd trimester. Leptin and adiponectin levels in cord blood were measured as markers of metabolic function. Birth weight and length were obtained from birth record. Association between maternal MEHP levels and cord blood adiponectin and leptin levels, birth weight and ponderal index (PI) were examined for 167 mother-child pairs who had both MEHP and cord blood adipokine measurements. The median MEHP level was 8.81ng/ml and the detection rate was 100%. There was no sex difference in MEHP levels. Both leptin and adiponectin levels were higher in girls than in boys. MEHP level was positively associated with adiponectin level among boys and was negatively associated with leptin level among girls. MEHP level were negatively associated with PI only in girls and this could be due to decreased leptin level. This study suggested that prenatal DEHP exposure may be associated with cord blood adipokine and birth size. The influence potentially be sex-specific and could be more significant in girls.

The Hokkaido Birth Cohort Study on Environment and Children’s Health: cohort profile—updated 2017

“…The results are shown in Table 7 . We observed that PCDD/PCDFs and PFASs were associated with decreased birth weight [ 33 , 34 ]; however, DEHP, PCBs, and total Hg were not associated with birth weight [ 35 , 36 ]. Our investigation not only was on conventional birth weight but also included cord adipokines considered to be biomarkers of metabolic function [ 35 , 37 ].…”

“… [ 37 ] DEHP Ponderal index 167 Significant decrease (per log10 unit: β = −1.28, 95% CI − 2.43 to − 0.13). [ 35 ] Cord adipokines 167 Significant decrease in leptin among girls (per log10 unit: β = −0.31, 95% CI − 0.52 to − 0.10). Significant increase in adiponectin among boys (per log10 unit: β = 4.63, 95% CI 0.77 to 8.49).…”

Association of prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances with cord blood adipokines and birth size: The Hokkaido Study on environment and children's health

“…Recently, our group has reported that maternal MEHP levels were MINATOYA 20 associated with alternation of adiponectin and leptin levels in cord blood in sex-specific manner (Minatoya et al 2017). Cord blood adipokine levels can be investigated in association with these environmental chemical exposures in our future work.…”

Season-dependent concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites among Chinese pregnant women: Repeated measures analysis

“…spontaneous abortion and increased blood pressure) (Jukic et al, 2016;Mu et al, 2015;Toft et al, 2012;Werner et al, 2015), adverse birth outcomes (e.g. preterm birth, low birth weight and decreased birth length) Huang et al, 2009;Latini et al, 2003;Meeker et al, 2009;Minatoya et al, 2017;Philippat et al, 2012;Wolff et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009), and impaired children growth (Valvi et al, 2015) and neurodevelopment (e.g. lower IQ, problems with attention, hyperactivity and poorer social communication) (Miodovnik et al, 2014).…”