Associations between brominated and organophosphate flame retardant levels and inflammatory biomarkers in maternal blood, cord blood, and placental tissue at mid-gestation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Prenatal exposures to flame retardants (FRs), including legacy polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative organophosphate FRs (OPFRs), are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. In animal and cell models, inflammation has been proposed as a potential pathway of FR-toxicity; however, data in humans is limited. In this study, we assessed whether levels of FRs are associated with diverse inflammatory biomarkers, reflecting potential mediating pathways. We leveraged mid-gestation maternal and fetal biospecimens, a timepoint that is often difficult to study due to ethical challenges.

Material and methods

Participants in this study included a demographically diverse group of pregnant women undergoing elective mid-pregnancy terminations and for whom measu

SUBMITTER: Nguyen V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12462692 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature