Variability in urinary phthalate metabolite levels across pregnancy and sensitive windows of exposure for the risk of preterm birth.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Preterm birth is a significant public health problem, affecting over 1 in 10 live births and contributing largely to infant mortality and morbidity. Everyday exposure to environmental chemicals such as phthalates could contribute to prematurity, and may be modifiable. In the present study we examine variability in phthalate exposure across gestation and identify windows of susceptibility for the relationship with preterm birth.

Methods

Women were recruited early in pregnancy as part of a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Urine samples were collected at up to 4 time points during gestation for phthalate measurement, and birth outcomes were recorded at delivery. From this population we selected all 1

SUBMITTER: Ferguson KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4104181 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature