Environmental phthalate exposure and preterm birth in the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) birth cohort
Year: 2019
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: OPS 16: Chemical exposures and birth outcomes, Room 114, Floor 1, August 28, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Background: Preterm birth is a global public health issue and rates in Puerto Rico are consistently among the highest in the US. The causes of elevated preterm birth rates on the island are unknown, although elevated exposures to environmental contaminants are suspected. Methods: In a preliminary analysis from the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) cohort (n=1090), we investigated the association between urinary phthalate metabolites measured at three study visits (targeted at 20, 24, and 28 weeks of gestation) in association with preterm birth. We additionally assessed differences in associations by study visit and among spontaneous preterm births specifically. Results: Urinary concentrations of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) metabolites were higher among pregnant women in Puerto Rico compared to women in the general US population. Interquartile range (IQR) increases in pregnancy-averages of urinary metabolites of DBP and DiBP were associated with increased odd ratios (OR) of preterm birth in adjusted logistic regression models. As examples, an IQR increase in mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) was associated with an OR of 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07, 1.88), and an IQR increase in mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP) was associated with an OR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.71). Associations were greatest in magnitude for urinary concentrations measured at the second study visit (median 24 weeks gestation). DiBP metabolite associations were greatest in magnitude in models of spontaneous preterm births specifically. For example, an IQR increase in pregnancy average MiBP was associated with an OR of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.99) for spontaneous preterm birth. No associations with other phthalate metabolites, including di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, were detected. Conclusion: DBP and DiBP metabolites were associated with increased odds of preterm birth in pregnant women residing in Puerto Rico.
Source: Environmental Epidemiology
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W2981564502