A groundbreaking study by researchers from Emory University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Columbia University has revealed that a mother’s exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can significantly impact her newborn’s metabolism and brain development.
Phthalates, a group of chemical plasticizers widely used in everyday products such as shampoos, soaps, detergents, and plastic food containers, have long been associated with hormonal disruptions. Previous research has suggested potential health risks for both mothers and infants, but this latest study provides concrete evidence linking prenatal exposure to biological changes in newborns.
Key Findings
Published in Nature Communications, the study was led by researchers at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and marks the first time scientists have identified how maternal exposure to phthalates influences a baby’s metabolism at birth. The major takeaways include:
- Increased levels of phthalates in a mother’s blood during pregnancy were associated with lower levels of neurotransmitter precursors related to tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, essential for brain development in newborns.
- Higher prenatal phthalate exposure was linked to biological changes that correlated with reduced information processing (attention) and excitability (arousal) scores in newborns.
- The findings suggest that phthalates can cross the placenta, directly affecting a baby’s metabolism before birth and potentially leading to long-term developmental consequences.
Expert Insights
Susan Hoffman, Ph.D., the study’s first author and a recent graduate of Emory’s Epidemiology Ph.D. program, emphasized the significance of these findings.
“This is the first study to demonstrate that a mother’s exposure to phthalates can alter her baby’s metabolome and show that these biological disruptions affect newborn development. Many believe the placenta shields the baby from harmful substances, but our research confirms that phthalates can penetrate this barrier and negatively influence fetal biology,” Hoffman stated.
Study lead author Donghai Liang, Ph.D., an associate professor of environmental health at the Rollins School of Public Health, underscored the lasting impact of phthalate exposure.
“Once pregnant women are exposed to phthalates, these chemicals not only enter their body and disrupt maternal metabolism but also affect the metabolism and neurobehavioral functioning of newborns. Our study indicates that these biological disruptions persist after birth, potentially influencing the neurodevelopmental system over time,” Liang explained.
The study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and regulation of phthalate exposure during pregnancy to safeguard infant health and development.
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