US EPA

3045614 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

The role of phthalates as environmental toxicants in development of autism in children: a systematic review 

Jeddi, MZ; Yunesian, M; Akhondzadeh, S 

2015 

1 

Tropical Medicine and International Health
ISSN: 1360-2276
EISSN: 1365-3156 

20 

Supplement 1 

263 

English 

WOS:000360758801238 

is part of a larger document 3513636 Abstracts of the 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, 6-10 September 2015, Basel, Switzerland - Poster Sessions

In recent years concern has risen about the increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Although the involvement of genetic abnormalities in autism is well-accepted, recent studies point to an equal contribution by environmental factors, particularly environmental neurotoxic compounds. However, the identity of specific environmental chemicals such as phthalate esters that influence autism risk remains elusive. Phthalates are manmade chemicals used globally in production of commercial and industrial goods. Due to their widespread use, phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment. Exposure to phthalates can occur through ingestion, inhalation, intravenous, or dermal exposure over the life. This paper systematically reviews published evidence on associations between prenatal and/or childhood exposure to phthalate and autism. Studies were identified from a systematic literature search of Scopus, PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science prior to February 2015. This comprehensive bibliographic search among the total of 2342 articles identified four independent studies which were deemed relevant for further review. Among the four retrieved human studies, from different countries, two were case-control in design, while the other two studies were cohort studies, with using different valid measure of autism diagnosis. In included studies, exposure was mainly measured by determining phthalate exposure biomarkers in urine while the main instruments used to determination the urinary concentration of phthalate metabolites were somewhat different. Through the four studies investigated in this review, we deemed that only one study illustrated high quality using the criteria outlined. The other studies were of medium methodological quality. All of this research has a number of methodological limitations regarding outcome-exposure assessment and confounding factors analysis and control. The paucity of evidence different timing of urine collection, measurement instruments and health endpoints across studies may account for different results. This survey demonstrates that there is insufficient research on the possible association of prenatal and postnatal phthalates exposure and autism. Therefore, there is a need to carry out large, well-designed prospective cohort studies which both taken into account relevant pre-, peri- and neonatal confounders and characterization of exposure.

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. 

9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health 

Basel, Switzerland 

September 6-10, 2015