The association between maternal urinary phthalate metabolites concentrations and pregnancy induced hypertension: Results from the EDEN Mother-Child Cohort

Overview & Synopsis

Background: Studies have suggested that exposure to endocrine disruptors such as phthalates that are widelyused in our daily life (food wrapping, cosmetics, toys, medical devices, polyvinyl chloride flooring, and building materials) might be related to raised blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Phthalates might induce a pro-inflammatory response and increased oxidative stress and may be a cause ofpregnancy induced hypertension.Methods: We evaluated the association between maternal exposure to phthalates during pregnancy andpregnancy induced hypertension. 604 pregnant women were included and eleven phthalate metaboliteswere quantified in spot maternal urine samples collected between the 23rd and 28th week of gestation in aFrench EDEN mother-child cohort. The associations were assessed by applying multiple logistic regressionanalysis.Results: Twenty nine (4,8%) mothers developed pregnancy induced hypertension. Two low molecular weightphthalate metabolites: Monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and Mono-n‑butyl phthalate (MBP) were positively associated with pregnancy induced hypertension in crude (Odds Ratio: 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.04−1.96,p-value = 0.02 and 1.48, 1.10−2.01, p-value =0.01) and in adjusted (1.47, 1.01−2.14, p-value = 0.04 and 1.66,1.11−2.47, p-value = 0.01) models respectively.Conclusion: Our data suggest that prenatal exposure to some phthalates, including MEP and MBP, might playa role in pregnancy induced hypertension.