pregnancy

Maternal Cardiometabolic Health During Pregnancy Associated with Higher Blood Pressure in Children, NIH Study Finds

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Children born to mothers with cardiometabolic health issues before or during pregnancy may face a higher risk of elevated blood pressure in childhood and adolescence, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

High blood pressure in childhood often continues into adulthood and is linked to a greater risk of heart problems later in life. This ECHO research offers insights into how a mother’s heart and metabolic health before and during pregnancy may contribute to her child’s long-term cardiovascular well-being.

The study analyzed data from 12,480 mother-child pairs in the ECHO Program. Researchers looked at how three maternal cardiometabolic risk factors—pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy—were related to children’s blood pressure from ages 2 to 18.

Key Findings:

  • 44% of mothers in the study had at least one cardiometabolic risk factor during pregnancy.
  • Children whose mothers had more than one condition, such as gestational diabetes combined with high blood pressure or pre-pregnancy obesity, had higher blood pressure than those whose mothers had only one condition.
  • Children born to these mothers had higher average blood pressure readings, even after accounting for age, sex, and height of the child.
  • These children also experienced an increased rate of change in blood pressure over time, suggesting a long-term impact.
  • The effect was especially strong for diastolic blood pressure in girls and systolic blood pressure in non-Hispanic Black children whose mothers had gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

“With declines in cardiometabolic health, it’s important to focus on prevention starting as early as possible,” said ECHO researcher Zhongzheng Niu, PhD, of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “Our study suggests that helping people improve their health before and during pregnancy could benefit both mothers and future generations."

The researchers in this study call for further studies to understand how combinations of maternal health issues and broader social and structural factors contribute to these long-term risks.

This collaborative research is published in JAMA Network Open.

Niu, Z. Maternal Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Pregnancy and Offspring Blood Pressure at Age 2-18 Years. JAMA Network Open, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9205.

Media Contacts

For information or to request an interview, contact Rebekah Yeager,  rebekah.yeager@nih.gov.

If you are not a member of the media, but have a general inquiry, please contact  NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.

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echo connectorCheck out the recent issues of our bi-monthly newsletter, the ECHO Connector, for program news and the latest research findings.

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NIH Study Finds No Association Between Prenatal Dietary Patterns and Autism Diagnoses, But Potential Links with Broader Traits

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Three validated dietary patterns were not associated with diagnosis, but healthy eating during pregnancy showed a modest link with lower scores for traits related to autism

Expectant mothers with higher diet quality—measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index modified for Pregnancy (AHEI-P)—had children with modestly lower scores for traits related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to ECHO Cohort research led by Kristen Lyall, ScD, and Rachel Vecchione, MPH, of Drexel University. However, the study did not find a significant association between these prenatal dietary patterns and a formal ASD diagnosis.

Previous research has suggested potential links between prenatal diet and neurodevelopmental conditions, but most studies focused on individual foods or nutrients rather than overall dietary patterns. In this study, ECHO researchers examined overall dietary patterns to better understand effects of usual dietary intake across foods.

“This study broadly supports the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy. Autism is a complex condition with many contributing factors. Here, we found some evidence to suggest a healthy diet during pregnancy may be linked with reduced likelihood of broader traits related to autism, but effect sizes were small,” said Dr. Lyall.

The study included up to 6,084 mother-child pairs from 14 ECHO Cohort Study Sites, which included general population sites and sites with a higher chance of ASD occurring in families.

This collaborative research, titled “Maternal Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy and Child Autism-Related Traits in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Consortium,” is published in Nutrients.

Prenatal Exposure to Phenols and Parabens Appear to Be Higher Among Minority Populations, ECHO Study Finds

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Pregnant women in Hispanic and Black communities may experience greater prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including environmental phenols (EPs) and parabens, according to a study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

EDCs are commonly encountered during pregnancy through everyday items such as plastics, food packaging, and personal care products. Although these products break down quickly in the body, EDCs can cross the placenta and accumulate in fetal tissue. Prenatal exposure has been linked to pregnancy complications, developmental challenges, and long-term health risks.

The findings revealed significant differences in chemical exposure levels based on race and ethnicity. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic participants had higher levels of certain EPs compared to non-Hispanic White participants. For example, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic participants showed elevated levels of paradichlorobenzene—a chemical found in mothballs, fumigants, and air fresheners. Non-Hispanic Black participants also had higher levels of parabens, commonly used as preservatives in processed foods and personal care items.

“These findings indicate that pregnant individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds experience varying levels of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals,” said Michael S. Bloom, PhD, of George Mason University. “Understanding these differences is crucial for evaluating their effects on maternal and fetal health and identifying the underlying causes can inform effective interventions.”

Researchers analyzed urine samples from 4,006 pregnant participants across 11 ECHO Cohort Study Sites, representing Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other, and non-Hispanic White individuals.

Low-income and minority communities may face heightened exposure due to factors like proximity to industrial facilities and limited access to a broad range of consumer products and fresh foods, researchers noted in the study.

This collaborative research was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

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Bloom, M.S., Upadhyaya, S., Nzegwu, A.W. et al. Racial and ethnic differences in prenatal exposure to environmental phenols and parabens in the ECHO Cohort. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00750-w

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If you are not a member of the media, but have a general inquiry, please contact  NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.

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echo connectorCheck out the recent issues of our bi-monthly newsletter, the ECHO Connector, for program news and the latest research findings.

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No Significant Associations Observed Between Prenatal Antibiotic Use and Wheezing Symptoms in Infants

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No Significant Associations Observed Between Prenatal Antibiotic Use and Wheezing Symptoms in Infants

Authors: Rachel Greenberg, et al.

 

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

 

Why was this study needed?

Wheezing symptoms occur in 20-40% of infants, contributing to a substantial impact on children’s quality of life and their use of healthcare. Multiple early exposures, such as prenatal exposure to cigarette smoking, have been associated with these wheezing symptoms.

Previous studies have suggested a possible link between antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and an increased risk of wheezing and cough in children, caused by an imbalance in the birthing parent’s microbiome due to antibiotic use. However, these studies had some limitations. Additional research was needed to include enough participants to produce reliable results and account for other factors that might have influenced outcomes. This study examined the association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and the development of wheezing during infancy using a large national sample of infants and birthing parents.

 

What were the study results?

In this study, 36% of pregnant participants used at least one antibiotic while pregnant, and about 26% of infants had a report of wheezing. Overall, the research team observed that exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy was not associated with infant wheezing during the first 18 months after birth. Note that most outcome data were based on birthing parent/caregivers’ self-reports.

Prenatal antibiotic exposure was also not associated with an increase in emergency room visits or hospitalizations for wheeze during infancy. However, prenatal antibiotic use was associated with higher odds of medication use for wheeze or dry cough during infancy, which could imply more severe symptoms and a medical provider’s diagnosis. It is important to note that the study team found an association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and medication use for wheeze or cough during infancy only among children born via vaginal delivery and thus exposed to the birthing parent's microbiota. This finding supports the theory that a change in the microbiome of the birthing parent and infant is related to this association.

The researchers also observed an association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and wheeze in research sites that recruited participants who had a family history of asthma, suggesting that a genetic or environmental risk within these families may increase the likelihood of wheeze.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

 

What was the study's impact?

The results of this study raise the possibility of an association between prenatal use of prenatal antibiotics and medication use for wheezing in the 18 months after birth. It suggested that prenatal antibiotics may influence respiratory outcomes during infancy, but further studies are needed to understand how the timing and type of antibiotic use may influence these effects.

 

Who was involved?

This study included 4,721 pregnant participants and their 4,779 infants from 12 study sites in the ECHO Cohort Consortium. Most pregnant participants were between 25 and 35 years old, non-Hispanic White, and had a college degree or more. Overall, 36% of the pregnant participants used at least one antibiotic during their pregnancy.

 

What happened during the study?

The study team analyzed data collected using questionnaires, interviews, or medical records to analyze associations between prenatal antibiotic exposure and airway symptoms (e.g., wheeze, cough) during infancy. The study team confined the outcome of wheezing to infancy (prior to the age when asthma is typically diagnosed), and they evaluated antibiotic exposure throughout pregnancy.

What happens next?

Future research is needed to understand how the timing and type of antibiotic use during pregnancy influences infant wheeze outcomes. Additional studies are also needed to replicate these findings, which could then lead to clinical implications.

 

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Association Between Prenatal Antibiotic Exposure and Infant Wheeze Outcomes,” in Acta Paediatrica.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Read associated article

 

Published February 27, 2025

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No Significant Associations Observed Between Prenatal Antibiotic Use and Wheezing Symptoms in Infants

 

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Upper and Lower Airways

 

New ECHO Research Finds Maternal Stress During and After Pregnancy May Be Linked to Child Sleep Problems

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Maternal stress during pregnancy showed a small but significant association with child sleep problems and sleep disturbance, according to recent ECHO Cohort research led by Sarah Dee Geiger, PhD and Susan Schantz, PhD of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Aruna Chandran, MD, MPH and Marie L. Churchill, MS of Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. This effect was seen even when the researchers accounted for the influence of maternal stress after pregnancy.

“Sleep is crucial for child vitality, and poor sleep quality is common among kids in the U.S., so any modifiable factor that affects it is worth paying attention to,” said Dr. Geiger. “In this case, getting moms’ stress down during pregnancy and beyond will have positive effects on their children’s sleep quality, setting them up for a healthier childhood and beyond.”

“Poor quality sleep has all kinds of health implications in childhood and beyond,” added Dr. Schantz. “Yet we don’t have a good understanding of the environmental factors that contribute to poor sleep quality in children. This study of children from several cohorts across the U.S. sheds new light on the impact maternal stress, both prenatal and postnatal may have on child sleep.”

Additional studies can help researchers understand the biological mechanisms and social determinants underlying the relationship between maternal stress and child sleep. Read the research summary here.

NIH Study Highlights Potential Disparities in Birthweight Outcomes Linked to Environmental Exposures in Vulnerable Populations

Posted on by Jodi Snare

A new study from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program sheds light on how environmental exposures may have a larger impact on birth outcomes in vulnerable populations, particularly those defined by race, ethnicity, and maternal education. Researchers wanted to understand when the effect of these exposures becomes clinically significant and how different levels of exposure impact various groups differently.

To explore this, researchers used statistical models to simulate four potential scenarios in which average birthweights in a population could be reduced by varying amounts: 50g, 125g, 167g, and 250g. The study found that the percentage of children with low birthweight (LBW) (birthweight<2500g) varied by socioeconomic categories with the greatest percentage LBW seen in the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups. After analyzing the four scenarios, a clear trend was seen such that the greatest impact of an exposure was seen in the most vulnerable sub-populations. This trend was observed for all scenarios including the impact of a small environmental exposure. The most striking disparity among all scenarios was found in racial sub-populations.

This study showed how vulnerable groups, who already face higher risks of poor health, are more affected by small environmental exposures compared to the general population. Read a research summary here.

Nutrition That Aligns With Guidelines During Pregnancy May Be Associated With Better Infant Growth Outcomes, NIH Study Finds

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Expectant mothers who maintain a diet that meets USDA dietary guidelines during pregnancy may be more likely to have infants with healthy birthweights, steadier growth patterns, and potentially a reduced risk of obesity later in childhood, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

The research, involving more than 2,800 mother-child pairs across eight ECHO Cohort Study Sites, suggests that following a healthy prenatal diet in line with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans could have long-term positive effects on infant growth up to 24 months.

“This study found that eating a healthy diet during pregnancy was linked with a lower chance of extremely rapid infant growth,” said Assiamira Ferrara, MD, PhD, of Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. Dr. Ferrara noted that rapid growth from birth to 24 months is a strong predictor of obesity later in life.

The study used two dietary measures—the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP)—to look at maternal eating patterns. The HEI measures overall diet quality. The EDIP score measures how likely a diet is to cause inflammation in the body. Diets with high EDIP scores have been linked to increased levels of inflammation.

Key findings from the research showed that:

  • Higher HEI scores, reflecting healthier diets, were associated with a 12% reduced chance of infants being born large for gestational age (LGA), alongside lower rates of rapid growth up to 6 and 24 months.
  • Lower EDIP scores, indicating diets with reduced inflammatory potential, were associated with a 24% higher chance of LGA and had mixed effects on growth: slower from birth to 6 months but faster growth between birth and 12 months. This association was less clear and warrants further study.

To assess rapid growth, the study relied on a measurement called the weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) a tool used to track an infant's growth. It compares a baby’s weight to its length and tells you how far a baby's weight is from the average weight of babies of the same length. Rapid growth was defined as a significant increase in WLZ scores from birth to 6, 12, or 24 months. Babies whose WLZ scores jumped more than expected moved to a higher percentile on the growth chart, meaning they weighed more relative to their peers of the same length.

“The findings support a role for a balanced prenatal diet that aligns with the USDA Dietary Guidelines in promoting healthy birthweights and balanced growth through early childhood,” said Monique Hedderson, PhD, of Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. “This suggests the need for programs to help improve pregnant womens' access to healthy food and interventions to support healthy eating during pregnancy.”

Researchers said that the findings represent an opportunity for an early obesity prevention strategy. More research is needed to learn how low-inflammatory diets during pregnancy might benefit fetal and infant growth.

About the Study

The study analyzed data collected between 2007 and 2021 from the ECHO Program about 2,854 mother-child pairs. Among the children studied, 48.7% were girls. Children came from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds: 23.3% White, 22.4% Black, 35.8% Hispanic, 7.8% Asian, and 7.8% other racial backgrounds. Researchers collected information on diet, birth size, and infant growth at 6, 12, and 24 months through medical records and other measurement tools.

This collaborative research was published in JAMA Network Open.         

Ferrara, A. & Hedderson, M. (2024) Prenatal Diet and Infant Growth from Birth to Age 24 months. JAMA Network Open. DOI:: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.45771

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About ECHO: Launched in 2016, the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a research program in the Office of the Director at the NIH with the mission to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. For more information, visit echochildren.org.

About the NIH: NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information, visit www.nih.gov.

 

Media Contacts

For information or to request an interview, contact Rebekah Yeager,  rebekah.yeager@nih.gov.

If you are not a member of the media, but have a general inquiry, please contact  NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.

Connect With Us

echo connectorCheck out the recent issues of our bi-monthly newsletter, the ECHO Connector, for program news and the latest research findings.

To receive the ECHO Connector through email, subscribe here.

Follow @ECHOChildHealth for the latest ECHO Program updates on X.

ECHO Study Investigates Nutrition During Pregnancy and Infant Growth Outcomes

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ECHO Study Investigates Nutrition During Pregnancy and Infant Growth Outcomes

Authors: Monique Hedderson, Assiamira Ferrara, et al.

 

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

 

Why was this study needed?

Nearly one-third of children in the U.S. have overweight or obesity, putting them at risk of adverse health outcomes later in life. More research is needed to inform prevention strategies during critical periods of growth, including pregnancy. This study aimed to understand the association between diet quality during pregnancy and infant growth. Rapid growth from birth to 24 months has been identified as a strong predictor of obesity later in life. ECHO researchers looked at how a mother’s nutrition during this crucial period of development might influence the baby’s size at birth and their growth over time.

 

What were the study results?

Researchers used two indexes to measure healthy eating patterns: the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP). These scales measure how well foods in a person’s diet align with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the diet’s inflammatory potential, respectively. Expectant mothers with higher HEI scores were more likely to have babies with a healthy birthweight and fewer growth issues. Specifically, higher HEI scores were associated with a 12% lower chance of having a baby born large for gestational age (LGA) and a lower chance of rapid growth from birth to 6 months and birth to 24 months. By contrast, a lower score on the EDIP, indicating a less inflammatory diet, was associated with a 24% higher chance of LGA and slower growth to 6 months but faster growth from birth to 12 months. This association was less clear and warrants further study.

 

What was this study's impact?

The study's findings support the idea that a prenatal diet aligning with U.S. Dietary Guidelines, measured by the HEI, may promote healthy birthweight and infant growth through 24 months. The findings suggest that following USDA dietary guidelines during pregnancy may improve long-term infant growth. This highlights the need for programs or interventions to help pregnant individuals adopt healthy diets.

 

Who was involved?

The study included 2,854 mother-child pairs from eight ECHO Cohort Study Sites. Among the children, 48.7% were girls, 23.3% were White, 22.4% were Black, 35.8% were Hispanic, 7.8% were Asian, and 7.8% came from other racial backgrounds.

 

What happened during the study?

The study examined data from mothers and their children in eight different groups that were part of the ECHO Program between 2007 and 2021. Researchers used medical records and study weight and height measurements to track the babies' sizes and growth over time. The mothers' diets during pregnancy were evaluated to calculate HEI and EDIP scores. The study then explored how these diet patterns were associated with babies' size at birth and their growth up to 6, 12, and 24 months old.

To assess rapid growth, the study relied on a measurement called the weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) a tool used to track an infant's growth, it compares a baby’s weight to their length, and tells you how far a baby's weight is from the average weight of babies of the same length. Rapid growth was defined as a significant increase in WLZ scores from birth to 6, 12, or 24 months. Babies whose WLZ scores jumped more than expected moved to a higher percentile on the growth chart, meaning they weighed more relative to their peers of the same length.

Note: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

 

What happens next?

More research is needed to understand the potential benefits of low-inflammatory prenatal dietary patterns in fetal and infant growth. Future studies could investigate how an infant's appetite and feeding habits might influence the connection between a mother's diet during pregnancy and the baby's long-term growth.

 

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Prenatal Diet and Infant Growth from Birth to Age 24 months,” in JAMA Network Open.

 

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Published November 21, 2024

 

Read the associated press release.

Download this summary

ECHO Study Investigates Nutrition During Pregnancy and Infant Growth Outcomes

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ECHO Cohort Study Finds No Significant Associations Between Prenatal Dietary Patterns and ASD Diagnosis

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ECHO Cohort Study Finds No Significant Associations Between Prenatal Dietary Patterns and ASD Diagnosis

Authors: Rachel Vecchione, Kristen Lyall, et al.

 

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

 

Why was this study needed?

Diet during pregnancy plays a major role in fetal development. Prior research has shown associations between several dietary factors and certain neurodevelopmental conditions in children, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication and behaviors, and presents in a wide variety of behaviors, abilities, and challenges.

This study helped to fill gaps in understanding the relationship between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and ASD-related outcomes in children. Most previous studies examining links between prenatal diet and ASD and other neurodevelopmental outcomes have focused on individual foods or nutrients, rather than overall dietary patterns. Dietary patterns may be useful to examine because they summarize the usual intake of a wide range of foods and may capture combined effects across many nutrients.  Dietary patterns that capture the intake of recommended foods may also help to provide clearer communication than summaries across individual nutrients. This study therefore aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment by examining several established dietary patterns and their associations with ASD-related traits and diagnoses.

 

What were the study results?

Dietary patterns examined in this study included the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index modified for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), as well as the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDIP). Both the HEI and AHEI-P are validated dietary patterns that are measures of overall diet quality. Higher scores on these patterns indicate better adherence to dietary guidelines. In contrast, higher scores on the EDIP indicate a more pro-inflammatory diet.

The study found that higher prenatal scores on the HEI the AHEI-P were associated with modest decreases in ASD-related traits. However, there were no significant associations between prenatal intake of these dietary patterns and ASD diagnosis. The findings suggest that while there may not be strong associations between prenatal dietary patterns and ASD diagnosis itself, there may be subtle associations with broader traits like social communication difficulties that warrant further investigation.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

 

What was the study's impact?

This study contributes to the understanding of how prenatal diet may relate to ASD-related characteristics in children. It also highlights the need to further study the potential mechanisms linking prenatal diet to ASD-related traits and to consider broader dietary patterns in addition to individual nutrients and foods.

 

Who was involved?

The study included 6,084 mother-child pairs from 14 ECHO Cohort Study Sites. The participants were socioeconomically and demographically diverse, drawn from a large U.S.-wide sample, including general population sites and sites with a higher chance of ASD occurring in families.

 

What happened during the study?

Researchers collected data from individual sites that used Food Frequency Questionnaires to assess diet during pregnancy and enable the calculation of dietary patterns. The study examined associations between three dietary patterns and ASD-related outcomes while adjusting for potential confounding factors such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, sociodemographic factors, and child characteristics.

What happens next?

Future studies could help researchers confirm the results of this study and explore the subtle associations between prenatal diet and ASD-related traits. Further research could also examine multiple ASD-related outcomes, using larger and more diverse samples, and investigate potential mechanisms linking prenatal diet to ASD-related traits.

 

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Maternal Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy and Child Autism-Related Traits in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Consortium,” in Nutrients.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published November 6, 2024

Read the related research alert.

Download this summary

ECHO Cohort Study Finds No Significant Associations Between Prenatal Dietary Patterns and ASD Diagnosis

NIH Study Finds Exposure to Flame-Retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy Was Associated with Varying Childhood Obesity Risks

Posted on by Jodi Snare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Study reveals a complex link between pregnancy exposure to common chemicals and childhood obesity, researchers say.

Exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs)—chemicals found in everyday products that use plastics and flame retardants—during pregnancy may have varying effects on the risks of childhood obesity, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

The study found that children aged 5 to 10 years who were exposed to higher levels of dibutyl phosphate and di-isobutyl phosphate (DBUP/DIBP) during pregnancy had a 14% greater risk of developing obesity compared to those with the lowest exposure levels. In contrast, children whose mothers had higher exposure levels of bis (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP) during pregnancy had a 15% lower risk of developing obesity than those with the lowest levels of exposure.

“We are just beginning to understand how OPE exposure might be connected to obesity. Our findings suggest that the relationship between OPE exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity is complicated, and more research is needed to look at a wider range of OPE chemicals,” said Assiamira Ferrara, MD, PhD, senior research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research.

These chemicals are OPEs, which replaced polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) as flame retardants and plastic softeners in the mid-2000s. Studies in toxicology and epidemiology suggest that these substances can interfere with hormone systems and may be linked to obesity.

The study involved 5,087 mother-child pairs from 14 ECHO Cohort Study Sites. Researchers measured the levels of OPEs in the mother's urine during pregnancy and their children's body mass index (BMI) during infancy up to age 10. The participants were pregnant between 2006 and 2020 when OPEs were being rolled out to replace PBDEs.

“These findings underscore the need for further research to inform public health programs and regulatory policies aimed at mitigating childhood obesity risks from environmental chemical exposures,” said Alicia K. Peterson, PhD staff scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research.

Researchers across the ECHO Cohort reviewed and analyzed data for this study. This collaborative research  was published in Environment International.

Peterson, AK, et al. “Gestational Exposure to Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants and Risk of Childhood Obesity in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes.” Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109071.

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About ECHO: Launched in 2016, the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a research program in the Office of the Director at the NIH with the mission to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. For more information, visit echochildren.org.

About the NIH: NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information, visit www.nih.gov.

 

Media Contacts

For information or to request an interview, contact Rebekah Yeager,  rebekah.yeager@nih.gov.

If you are not a member of the media, but have a general inquiry, please contact  NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.

Connect With Us

echo connectorCheck out the recent issues of our bi-monthly newsletter, the ECHO Connector, for program news and the latest research findings.

To receive the ECHO Connector through email, subscribe here.

Follow @ECHOChildHealth for the latest ECHO Program updates on X.