Bisphenol A exposure may increase the risk of development of atopic disorders in children

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2016 May;219(3):311-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2015.12.001. Epub 2015 Dec 11.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the effect of Bisphenol A (BPA) on atopic disorders.

Objective: To investigated the associations (i) between postnatal BPA exposure and allergic diseases in children; (ii) between BPA and IgE levels for the possible disease pathogenesis; and (iii) gender-based differences.

Methods: A total of 453 children from Childhood Environment and Allergic Diseases Study cohort with urine and blood samples were recruited in Taiwan. Urinary BPA glucoronide (BPAG) levels were measured by UPLC-MS/MS at ages 3 and 6 years. The associations between BPAG levels at different ages and IgE levels and the development of allergic diseases were evaluated by multivariate linear regression and logistic regression. A mediation analysis was also conducted to evaluate how much risk of allergic diseases in relation to BPA exposure is explained by IgE changes.

Results: The BPAG levels at age 3 were positively associated with IgE levels at age 3 (β=64.85kU/l per ln-unit increase BPAG level; 95% CI, 14.59-115.11kU/l). Stratified by gender, BPAG levels at age 3 were positively associated with IgE levels at age 3, particularly in girls (β=139.23kU/l; 95% CI, 57.38-221.09kU/l). Similar results were also found at age 6. Urinary BPAG levels at age 3 were significantly associated with asthma at ages 3 and 6, with OR (95%CI) of 1.29(1.08-1.55) and 1.27(1.04-1.55). We estimated that 70% of the total effect of BPA exposure on asthma is mediated by IgE levels.

Conclusions: BPA exposures were associated with IgE levels and may increase the risk of development of allergic diseases in children particularly in girls.

Keywords: Allergic diseases; Bisphenol A; Children; Gender; IgE levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds / toxicity*
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / urine*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Female
  • Glucuronides / urine*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / blood
  • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / urine
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Phenols / toxicity*
  • Phenols / urine*
  • Risk
  • Taiwan

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Glucuronides
  • Phenols
  • bisphenol A glucuronide
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • bisphenol A