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Association between prenatal phthalate exposure and gestational metabolic syndrome parameters: a systematic review of epidemiological studies

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Abstract

The relationship of intrauterine phthalate exposure with gestational metabolic syndrome (GMS) parameters is inconsistently reported. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the association between prenatal phthalate exposure and GMS parameters. A literature search was performed in three databases. According to the defined PECOS statement, eligible studies were identified. The method and result for each study was qualitatively summarized with great emphasis on study design and exposure assessment. Fourteen studies were included in the present systematic review. Two studies used one-spot serum sample for evaluation of phthalate exposure, while others used 1–4 urine samples. Concentrations of phthalate metabolites varied substantially, and the levels in serum were greatly lower than those in urine. These studies observed no interstudy or intrastudy consistency for association between phthalates and GMS in pregnant women cross-sectionally or longitudinally, regardless of phthalates species or GMS indicator. Most reported associations were not significantly different from null result. Besides, positive and negative relationships also existed. The current epidemiological data do not support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to phthalates increases GMS risk.

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Funding

This work is supported by 2020 Cultivation Project for Youth Science Fund from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2020kj02); Clinical Scientific Research Project of Anhui Medical University (No. 2020xkj161).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China

    Hui Gao

  2. MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Hui Gao & Fang-Biao Tao

  3. Anhui Provincial Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China

    Cheng Zhang

  4. NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Fang-Biao Tao

  5. Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Fang-Biao Tao

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  1. Hui Gao
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GH searched the database, identified eligible studies and wrote the manuscript. ZC extracted the main statistics, and wrote the manuscript. TFB wrote and checked the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hui Gao.

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Gao, H., Zhang, C. & Tao, FB. Association between prenatal phthalate exposure and gestational metabolic syndrome parameters: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 20921–20938 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13120-4

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