Grantee Research Project Results
Prenatal Exposure to BPA/Phthalates: Infant Physical and Behavioral Development
EPA Grant Number: R834593C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R834593
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems
Center Director: Reckhow, David A.
Title: Prenatal Exposure to BPA/Phthalates: Infant Physical and Behavioral Development
Investigators: Schantz, Susan L.
Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , Harvard University , Michigan State University
Current Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: February 15, 2010 through February 14, 2014
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers: Formative Centers (with NIEHS) (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Objective:
Pregnant women are exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) through their use of personal care products and plastics. In animal models, phthalates and BPA cause developmental abnormalities, but little is known about whether these chemicals are associated with adverse developmental outcomes in humans. The proposed pilot study will develop novel methods to assess the impact of prenatal BPA or phthalate exposure on sexually dimorphic physical and behavioral endpoints during the first few months of life and it will identify reliable and valid measures of cognitive function in newborns that are sensitive to prenatal chemical exposure and predictive of lasting cognitive deficits. The overall hypothesis of the proposed pilot study is that maternal exposure to phthalates and/or BPA is associated with adverse developmental outcomes in their offspring. The specific objectives of the proposed project are to: 1) assess exposure to phthalates and BPA in a sample of pregnant women, 2) examine the association between prenatal phthalate and BPA exposure and physical development in infants, 3) examine the association between prenatal phthalate and BPA exposure and cognition in infants, and 4) investigate whether polymorphisms in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ER beta increase susceptibility to prenatal phthalate or BPA exposure. To complete the proposed work. 150 pregnant women age 18-40 and their infants will be recruited from a local hospital. The pregnant women will complete a 24-hour product use diary and provide urine samples for assessments of total BPA and 9 phthalate metabolites. In addition, pregnant women will donate cord blood for measurement of selected ER polymorphisms. Key physical and cognitive outcomes will be assessed at birth, and cognitive outcomes will also be assessed at 4.5 and 7.5 months of age. The relationship between measures of exposure and reported product use, and the relationship between maternal exposures and physical or cognitive outcomes in infants will be examined in statistical regression models.
Expected Results:
The proposed study will provide important pilot data about the nature of phthalate and BPA exposure in pregnant women and the risk of developmental abnormalities in their infants. The results will provide a strong basis for expansion of the pilot birth cohort into a larger prospective birth cohort with longitudinal follow-up of the children from birth through puberty.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 33 publications for this subproject | View all 35 publications for this centerJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 7 journal articles for this subproject | View all 9 journal articles for this centerSupplemental Keywords:
health effects, sensitive populations, genetic polymorphisms, epidemiology,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, Children's Health, biological markersProgress and Final Reports:
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R834593 Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R834593C001 Prenatal Exposure to BPA/Phthalates: Infant Physical and Behavioral Development
R834593C002 Adolescent Exposure to BPA/Phthalates Cognitive and Behavioral Development
R834593C003 Mechanisms of In Utero BPA Exposure on Fetal Gonad Development
R834593C004 Effects of Bisphenol A on the Developing Cortex
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
7 journal articles for this subproject
Main Center: R834593
35 publications for this center
9 journal articles for this center