Gestational phthalate exposure and lung function in childhood in the INMA cohorts

Abstract

Introduction: Phthalates compounds, which are ubiquitously present in man-made consumer products, have been associated with several respiratory outcomes such as asthma and wheezing development in exposed children. However, evidence is unclear regarding their relation to lung function. Additionally, prenatal exposure to these compounds might be an especially vulnerable window with potential for increased detrimental effects.

Objective: To assess the association between prenatal exposure to phthalate compounds and lung function from age 4 to age 11.

Methods: We measured 8 phthalate metabolites in two urine samples collected during the first and third pregnancy trimesters of 958 mother from 3 INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente) cohorts. The % predicted lung function parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and FVC/FEV1) were measured in their offspring at 4, 7, 9 and 11 years of age. In this analysis, we used mixed linear regression models controlling for potential confounders and cohort as random effect.

Results: A 10% increase in the gestational levels of monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP) was associated with a reduction of 0.26 in FVC % predicted at 4 years (95% confidence interval (95%CI) -0.50 to -0.03) and a reduction of 0.32 in FEV1 % predicted (95%CI -0.54 to -0.11), but not at a later age. No associations were observed for the other phthalates.

Conclusion: In the INMA cohorts, there is no consistent association between gestational phthalate exposure and overall lung function in childhood.