Dr. Robert B. Hood, College of Public Health, Epidemiology
SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
In utero exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can alter fetal and infant growth and development. Recent studies have examined two common EDCs, phenols and parabens, found in personal care products and food packaging in relation to fetal development. The evidence thus far is inconsistent with many studies focusing on using a single pollutant model rather than a mixtures approach. Additionally, many of these studies fail to consider paternal exposure levels. Lastly, studies focusing on development of fetus/infants/children and phenols and parabens tend to focus either on the fetal development stage or the school age development and have yet to fully examine exposures during infant development.
Utilizing data from Perinatal Research Repository, our study examines 1) the relation between birth outcomes measured via gestational length and birth size with a mixture of maternal and paternal phenols and parabens exposures and 2) the relationship between infant development prior to two years old with a mixture of maternal and paternal phenols and parabens. Our study builds on and expands previous studies by incorporating paternal exposure patterns, utilizing a mixtures approach with a traditional method (Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression) as well as an innovative method (Self-Organizing Maps), and examining trimester specific windows of exposures. Ultimately, our pilot study will allow us to develop a R01 study which will investigate the interaction between these two chemicals and epigenetics and its impact on fetal and infant growth and development.