Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and phthalates and childhood respiratory tract infections and allergy

TLDR: Prenatal exposure to BPA and high-molecular-weight phthalates might increase the risk of asthma symptoms and respiratory tract infections throughout childhood.

Abstract: Background There is growing concern that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are widely used in consumer products, might affect susceptibility to infections and the development of allergy and asthma in children, but there are currently very few prospective studies. Objective We sought to evaluate whether prenatal exposure to BPA and phthalates increases the risk of respiratory and allergic outcomes in children at various ages from birth to 7 years. Methods We measured BPA and metabolites of high-molecular-weight phthalates, 4 di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (Σ 4 DEHP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and 3 low-molecular-weight phthalate (LMWP) metabolites (Σ 3 LMWP) in urine samples collected during the first and third trimesters in pregnant women participating in the Infancia y Medio Ambiente–Sabadell birth cohort study. The occurrence of chest infections, bronchitis, wheeze, and eczema in children was assessed at ages 6 and 14 months and 4 and 7 years through questionnaires given to the mothers. Atopy (specific IgE measurement) and asthma (questionnaire) were assessed at ages 4 and 7 years, respectively. Results The relative risks (RRs) of wheeze (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40; P  = .02), chest infections (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32; P  = .05), and bronchitis (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.37; P  = .04) at any age increased for each doubling in concentration of maternal urinary BPA. Σ 4 DEHP metabolites were associated with the same outcomes (wheeze: RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04-1.50, P  = .02; chest infections: RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.97-1.35; P  = .11; bronchitis: RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.43; P  = .04). MBzP was associated with higher risk of wheeze (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.33; P  = .05). The risk of asthma at age 7 years was also increased with increasing prenatal BPA, Σ 4 DEHP, and MBzP exposure. There were no other exposure-outcome associations. Conclusions Prenatal exposure to BPA and high-molecular-weight phthalates might increase the risk of asthma symptoms and respiratory tract infections throughout childhood.