Impact of pregnancy on the concentrations of selected phthalates

<div><p>Developing fetus can be exposed to toxicants during pregnancy. Impact of human pregnancy on the concentrations of phthalate metabolites mono(carboxynonyl) (MCNP), mono(carboxyoctyl) (MCOP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl, mono-<i>n</i>-butyl, mono-(3-carboxy propyl), monoethyl, mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl, mono-2-ethylhexyl, monoisobutyl, mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, mono-benzyl, sum of low molecular weight phthalates (∑LMW), sum of high molecular weight phthalates (∑HMW), and sum of diethylhexyl phthalates was assessed. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2005–2010 were used for this purpose. Regression models with logs of these metabolites as dependent variables and age, race/ethnicity, education, pregnancy, smoking and iron storage status, study year, family poverty income ratio (PIR), body mass index, urine albumin, and urine creatinine as independent variables were fitted. Pregnant females were found to have significantly lower concentrations of ∑HMW and MCNP than non-pregnant females. Concentrations of ∑LMW during the third trimester of pregnancy were significantly lower than during the second trimester of pregnancy.</p>