Maternal Phthalate and Bisphenol Urine Concentrations during Pregnancy and Early Markers of Arterial Health in Children

• Published in: Environmental health perspectives 2022-04, Vol.130 (4), p.47007
• Main Authors: Blaauwendraad, Sophia M, Gaillard, Romy, Santos, Susana, Sol, Chalana M, Kannan, Kurunthachalam, Trasande, Leonardo, Jaddoe, Vincent W V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzhydryl Compounds; Biomarkers; Bisphenol-A; Cardiovascular diseases; Carotid artery; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Child; Children; Environmental aspects; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Maternal Exposure; Mothers; Phenols; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids; Physiological aspects; Pregnancy; Prenatal influences; Prospective Studies; Risk factors
• ISSN: 0091-6765; 1552-9924; 1552-9924
• DOI: 10.1289/EHP10293

Fetal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols might lead to fetal cardiovascular developmental adaptations and predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease in later life. We examined the associations of maternal urinary bisphenol and phthalate concentrations in pregnancy with offspring carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility at the age of 10 y. In a population-based, prospective cohort study of 935 mother-child pairs, we measured maternal urinary phthalate and bisphenol concentrations at each trimester. Later, we measured child carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility in the children at age 10 y using ultrasound. Maternal urinary average or trimester-specific phthalate concentrations were not associated with child carotid intima-media thickness at age 10 y. Higher maternal average concentrations of total bisphenol, especially bisphenol A, were associated with a lower carotid intima-media thickness [differences standard deviation score and 95% confidence interval (CI): , and (95% CI: , ) per interquartile range (IQR) increase in maternal urinary total bisphenol and bisphenol A concentration]. Trimester-specific analysis showed that higher maternal third-trimester total bisphenol and bisphenol A concentrations were associated with lower child carotid intima-media thickness [differences (95% CI: , ) and (95% CI: , ) per IQR increase in maternal urinary bisphenol concentration]. Maternal urinary bisphenol or phthalate concentrations were not associated with child carotid distensibility. In this large prospective cohort, higher maternal urinary bisphenols concentrations were associated with smaller childhood carotid intima-media thickness. Further studies are needed to replicate this association and to identify potential underlying mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10293.