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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Netch on January 29, 2010, at 8:24:59
Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates Affects Childhood Neurodevelopment
A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers in collaboration with scientists from Cornell University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has found higher prenatal exposure to phthalates -- manmade chemicals that interfere with hormonal messaging -- to be connected with disruptive and problem behaviors in children between the ages of 4 and 9 years.
The study, which is the first to examine the effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on child neurobehavioral development, will be published January 28, on the Environmental Health Perspectives website.
"There is increasing evidence that phthalate exposure is harmful to children at all stages of development," said Stephanie Engel, PhD, lead study author and Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "We found a striking pattern of associations between low molecular weight phthalates -- which are commonly found in personal care products -- and disruptive childhood behaviors, such as aggressiveness and other conduct issues, and problems with attention. These same behavioral problems are commonly found in children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Conduct Disorder."
Phthalates are part of a group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, that interfere with the body's endocrine, or hormone system. They are a family of compounds found in a wide range of consumer products such as nail polishes, to increase their durability and reduce chips, and in cosmetics, perfumes, lotions and shampoos, to carry fragrance. Other phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics such as PVC, or included as coatings on medications or nutritional supplements to make them timed-release.
"Recently, the government instituted regulations limiting certain phthalates in things like child care articles or toys that a young child might put in their mouth," continued Dr. Engel. "But it's their mother's contact with phthalate-containing products that causes prenatal exposure. The phthalates that we found most strongly related to neurodevelopment were those commonly found in cosmetics, perfumes, lotions and shampoos. Current US regulations do not address these kinds of phthalates."
For the study, phthalate metabolite levels were analyzed in prenatal urine samples of a multiethnic group of 404 women who were pregnant for the first time. The women were invited to participate in follow-up interviews when their children were between the ages of 4 and 9. The mothers were not informed of their phthalate metabolite levels and the researchers were unaware of their exposures when testing the children.
Follow-up visits were completed by 188 of the women and their children. At each follow-up visit, the mothers completed validated questionnaires designed to assess their behavior and executive functions. The researchers found that mothers with higher concentrations of low molecular weight phthalates consistently reported poorer behavioral profiles in their children. The strongest trends were in the categories of conduct and externalizing problems, characteristics typically associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ADHD.
"These are high level, chronic exposures that start before the child is even born, but continue throughout their life. More research is needed to examine the effects of cumulative exposure to phthalates on child development. But what this study suggests is that it's not enough to regulate childhood exposure to these chemicals. The regulations need to include products that moms use," said Dr. Engel.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091746.htm
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Prenatal Phthalate Exposure is Associated with Childhood Behavior and Executive FunctioningAbstract:
Background: Experimental and observational studies have reported biological consequences of phthalate exposure relevant to neurodevelopment.
Objective: To examine the association of prenatal phthalate exposure with offspring behavior and executive functioning at ages 4 to 9 years.
Methods: The Mount Sinai Childrens Environmental Health Study enrolled a multiethnic prenatal population in New York City between 1998 and 2002 (n= 404). Third trimester maternal urines were collected and analyzed for phthalate metabolites. Children (n = 188, n = 365 visits) were assessed for cognitive and behavioral development between the ages of 4 and 9 years.
Results: In multivariate adjusted models, increased loge concentrations of low molecular weight (LMW) phthalate metabolites were associated with poorer scores on the Aggression (β = 1.24, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.15, 2.34), Conduct Problems (β = 2.40, 95% CI 1.34, 3.46), Attention Problems (β = 1.29, 95% CI 0.16, 2.41), and Depression (β = 1.18, 95% CI 0.11, 2.24) clinical scales; and Externalizing Problems (β = 1.75, 95% CI 0.61, 2.88) and Behavioral Symptom Index (β = 1.55, 95% CI 0.39, 2.71) composite scales. Increased loge concentrations of LMW phthalates were also associated with poorer scores on the Global Executive Composite index (β = 1.23, 95% CI 0.09, 2.36), and the Emotional Control scale (β = 1.33, 95% CI 0.18, 2.49).
Conclusion: Behavioral domains adversely associated with prenatal exposure to LMW phthalates in our study are commonly found to be affected in children clinically diagnosed with Conduct or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901470
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2010, at 11:10:03
In reply to Phthalates and ADHD, posted by Netch on January 29, 2010, at 8:24:59
Netch the chemical thing in cosmetics was told yesterday that origins the line I use had to reformulate all their's and remove a chemical. I also got a study yesterday online that children with bipolar parents are more likely to be adhd? Seems connections with chemicals and illnesses are being increasing found. Thanks for the studies. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on January 29, 2010, at 17:35:55
In reply to Phthalates and ADHD, posted by Netch on January 29, 2010, at 8:24:59
Not to play the devils advocate but...
So...the mothers with the highest phthalate levels had the highest ratings of behavioral problems with their children.
Well, since phthalates are primarily found in beauty products, perhaps the mothers that have the highest phthalate leves use the most beauty/vanity products. A higher use of these products may be indicative of higher intrinsic levels of anxiety, low self esteem, depression and obsessional tendancies. Parents with such qualities might be expected to have offspring with a higher level of the mentioned behavioral issues.
On the contrary, parents with low phthalate levels use less of such beauty products because they are naturally more confident, optimistic and less obsessional. Hence they have children with fewer emotinal/behavioral issues.
Along the same lines, there was a study done a few years back that said that heavy use of perfume correlated to high scores of depression.
With this study it just seems natural that the heavy use of perfume is a response to the depression. However, another possible (yet more unlikely?) answer would be that heavy use of perfume leeches into the skin and delivers higher concetrations of industrial chemicals which unfavorably affect ones neurochemical ballance hence causing depression.Linkadge
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