Environmental phthalate exposure and preterm birth.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality, with a variety of contributing causes and risk factors. Environmental exposures represent a group of understudied, but potentially important, factors. Phthalate diesters are used extensively in a variety of consumer products worldwide. Consequently, exposure in pregnant women is highly prevalent.

Objective

To assess the relationship between phthalate exposure during pregnancy and preterm birth.

Design, setting, and participants

This nested case-control study was conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Women were recruited for a prospective observational cohort study from 2006-2008. Each provided demographic data, biological samples, and information about birth outcomes. From w

SUBMITTER: Ferguson KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4005250 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature