Jump to main content.

Research Project Search
 Enter Search Term:
   
 NCER Advanced Search

Study of Phthalates in Pregnant Woman and Children

EPA Grant Number: R829436
Title: Study of Phthalates in Pregnant Woman and Children
Investigators: Swan, Shanna H.
Current Investigators: Swan, Shanna H. , Calafat, Antonia , Kruse, Robin , Lasley, Bill L. , Redmon, Bruce , Sparks, Amy , Wang, Christina
Institution: University of Missouri - Columbia
Current Institution: University of Missouri - Columbia , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Harbor-UCLA Medical Center , University of California - Davis , University of Iowa , University of Minnesota , University of Rochester
EPA Project Officer: Glenn, Barbara
Project Period: August 1, 2001 through January 31, 2005 (Extended to July 31, 2007)
Project Amount: $2,779,164
RFA: Endocrine Disruptors: Epidemiologic Approaches (2001)
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors

Description:

  • Test the hypothesis that in utero exposure to phthalates is related to structural and functional development of the breast and/or genitalia in males and females.
  • Test the hypothesis that the infant's post-natal phthalate exposure is related to these reproductive parameters, and compare pre- and post-natal sensitivity.
  • Identify sources of phthalate exposure through the use of focused exposure-assessment questionnaires in combination with urinary phthalate metabolite levels.
  • Examine geographic and ethnic variation in phthalate metabolite levels in pregnant and non-pregnant women.

    • Approach:

    The Study for Future Families (SFF), currently being conducted by this research team in four U.S. cities, has enrolled close to 300 pregnant women and their partners. SFF mothers who agree to participate, and their children, will constitute population for the current study; we expect to study 800 mothers and children. Pediatric physicians will conduct two standardized breast and genital examinations on each child. We will identify 100 children in whom one or more breast and genital measurements are atypical. These children, plus those with definite or probable genital anomalies, will be selected for phthalate analyses together with an equal number of children matched on sex, gestational age, study center and ethnicity, for whom all measurements fall within the central 90% of the distribution. We will measure phthalate metabolite levels during and after pregnancy in the mothers, and in these 200 children during the first year of life. Phthalate metabolite levels will be examined in relation to examination outcomes, including genital size, amount of breast tissue and FSH level. We will also seek to identify sources of phthalate exposure by relating mothers' self-reported use of phthalate-containing products (soaps, cosmetics, teething rings, nipples and other plastics) at the time of urine collection to measured phthalate metabolite levels.

    Expected Results:

    If positive associations are identified, they can be used to estimate reproductive risk of specific phthalates. If no positive associations are found, these data will provide moderate assurance that routine use of phthalate-containing products poses no reproductive risks to infants. These results will also identify home and personal care products associated with elevated phthalate levels in women of reproductive age and their offspring.

    Publications and Presentations:

    Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this project

    Journal Articles:

    Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this project

    Supplemental Keywords:

    endocrine disruption, endocrine disruptors, epidemiology, sexual development, infants, neonates, , Scientific Discipline, Health, RFA, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Endocrine Disruptors - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Risk Assessments, genetic susceptability, Health Risk Assessment, endocrine disruptors, Epidemiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Endocrine Disruptors - Human Health, endocrine disruption, endocrine disrupting chemicals, sexual development, developmental effects, childhood development, developmental biology, prenatal exposure, epidemiologic studies, human growth and development, infants, metabolites, pregnancy, phthalates, children, reproductive health, exposure, pregnant women

    Progress and Final Reports:
    2002 Progress Report
    2003 Progress Report
    2005 Progress Report

    Top of page

    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.

    Local Navigation

    Jump to main content.