Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Fetal Weight: Exposure Monitoring Among Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Fetuses
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) requires lifestyle changes that may alter exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study aimed to assess maternal and fetal exposure to EDCs-including bisphenol-A (BPA), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their association with fetal birthweight. Maternal urine (second and third trimester) and paired cord blood samples were analyzed from 58 GDM and 118 non-GDM pregnancies using UPLC-MS/MS. Significant correlations were found between maternal urine and cord blood levels of BPA and MEP. Cord blood BPA levels were significantly lower in GDM mothers (0.35 vs. 0.72 μg/L, <i>p</i> < 0.05), suggesting reduced exposure due to dietary interventions. However, maternal urinary BPA levels in GDM pregnancies were positively associated with fetal birthweight (β = 2.69, <i>p</i> < 0.05), indicating increased susceptibility to obesogenic effects. PFOA was present in all cord blood but only 41% of maternal urine samples. These findings underscore the dual impact of GDM-related lifestyle changes: reduced EDC transfer to the fetus, yet persistent metabolic vulnerability.
Authors
- In Yang Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9458-2886)
- Sae Kyung Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6264-4256)
- Hyun Sun Ko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6310-6206)
- Jae Eun Shin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8326-8541)
- Yun Sung Jo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5618-9338)
- Mihi Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3683-2488)
- Hyeon Soo Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3611-1493)
- Subeen Hong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1027-7981)
- Oyoung Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0119-3396)
- Jeong Ha Wie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7897-5148)
- Yeon Hee Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7689-3840)
- Hyo Jae Yoon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2501-0251)
- Byung Soo Kang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2515-8536)
- S. Won
Institutions
- Sookmyung Women's University (KR)
- The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent's Hospital (KR)
- The Catholic University of Korea Incheon St. Mary's Hospital (KR)
- The Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital (KR)
- The Catholic University of Korea Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital (KR)
- The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (KR)
- Catholic University of Korea (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Published
- 2025-04-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094226
- Primary Topic
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute