At a glance
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Exposure to Plasticizers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Long- Term Neurodevelopmental and Pulmonary Toxicity
In Brief
An observational study for Preterm Birth and 7 related conditions. Completed, enrolled 132 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
Neonatal intensive care relies on indwelling plastic medical devices fundamental in respiratory support, intravenous catheterization, and nutrition. While being in a critical developmental period, constant exposure to these invasive medical devices puts premature neonates at risk of plasticizers' potential toxicity. Despite novel regulations and development of alternative plasticizers (AP), reference to guide manufacturers and an overview of the prevailing exposure levels to DEHP or alternatives in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are still missing. The three main objectives of this project are: (1) to assess current exposure to plasticizers in the NICU, (2) to identify the sources of exposure and (3) to study the resultant long-term health risk in premature neonates. These objectives are addressed in three work packages (WP). In work package 1, in vivo exposure of premature neonates to phthalates and alternative plasticizers is assessed by determining their metabolites in biological matrices (urine and hair). Work package 2 explores ex vivo leaching characteristics of different plasticizers from medical devices used in the NICU. Finally, Work package 3 studies the long-term neurocognitive and lung development in relation to plasticizer exposure in the NICU.