Plasma bisphenol a and phthalate levels in children with cerebral palsy: a case-control study

ABSTRACT

The case-control study aimed to evaluate potential sources of exposure and the plasma concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in prepubertal children having cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy control. Blood samples of 68 CP and 70 controls were analyzed for BPA, di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). BPA and DBP levels were similar in groups. The median DEHP and MEHP levels of the children with CP were significantly lower than those of the controls (p = 0.035, p < 0.001, respectively). Exposure to plastic food containers/bags, personal care hygiene products, household cleaners, wood/coal stove heating, and city water supplies were associated with increased odds of higher BPA and phthalate levels in children with CP. In conclusion, potential exposure sources for BPA and phthalates differ in children with CP and healthy controls, and children with CP are not exposed to higher levels of BPA and phthalates.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral palsy
• children
• BPA
• phthalate

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

This study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the local ethics committee approved this study (MEU; 2020/671).

Consent to participate

Written informed consent was obtained from the parents before participation, and verbal or written assent was also obtained for children.

Consent to publish

All participants gave written informed consent for participation in the study and its publication.

Author contribution

ÖT, SSY, PE, and ÇO designed the study. ÖT collected the data. PE, ABÖ, and AY performed laboratory measurements and analyzed the laboratory data. ÖT and SSY performed the statistical analysis and interpretation of the results. ÖT and ÇO wrote the manuscript and researched the data literature. SSY critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors have agreed to this final version and all authors participated in a meaningful way in the preparation of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit Project No: TDK-2021-18913 (Principle investigator; Prof. Sıddıka Songül YALÇIN)