Urinary Phthalate Levels in Relation to Obesity among a Sample of Egyptian Children

Manal A. Mohsen; Mai M. Youssef; Ebtissam M. Salah El-Din; Samar M. E.  Salem; Hala Mohamed Salah El Din Megahed; Mones M.  AbuShady; Dalia Medhat; Amr S. Gouda; Walaa Nazim; Manal A. Shehata

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.8259

Authors

Manal A. Mohsen Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Mai M. Youssef Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Ebtissam M. Salah El-Din Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Samar M. E. Salem Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Hala Mohamed Salah El Din Megahed Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Mones M. AbuShady Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Dalia Medhat Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6342-3180
Amr S. Gouda Department of Biochemical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Walaa Nazim Department of Biochemical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Manal A. Shehata Department of Child Health, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8749-7010

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8259

Keywords:

Phthalates, Children, Obesity, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Anthropometry

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is considered a risk factor for chronic diseases later in life. Phthalates (phthalate acid esters), predominant constituents of plasticizers, are well-thought-out global environmental contaminants.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between obesity and urinary phthalates in Egyptian children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 210 children; 71 children were obese. Age ranged between 8.8 and 16 years with a mean of 12.93 ± 1.29 years. Sociodemographic data were collected. Clinical examination included measuring body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC), and calculation of body mass index (BMI). The lipid profile was analyzed. Urine samples were tested for phthalates levels using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS: Urinary phthalates metabolites mono benzyl (MBzP), monobutyl (MBP), monoethyl (MEP), and mono (2ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) were detected in all urinary samples with varying levels. The median concentrations of MBzP, MEHP, MBP, and MEP were 1.4, 54.5, 29.9, and 490 (ng/ml), respectively. In obese children, urinary MBP, MEP, and MEHP demonstrated significantly higher mean levels than in non-obese children. Physical indicators of obesity as body weight, BMI, WC, and HC were significantly positively correlated with urinary levels of MEHP and MEP, while urinary MBzP demonstrated a significant positive association with serum triglycerides levels.

CONCLUSION: The present study suggests an association between phthalates exposure and childhood and adolescent adiposity.

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