Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Fetal Weight: Exposure Monitoring Among Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Fetuses

TL;DR

This study examines how endocrine-disrupting chemicals affect fetal weight in pregnancies with gestational diabetes, finding mixed effects from lifestyle changes.

Contribution

The study reveals that GDM-related lifestyle changes reduce fetal exposure to some EDCs but may increase susceptibility to obesogenic effects.

Findings

Maternal urine and cord blood levels of BPA and MEP were significantly correlated.

Cord blood BPA levels were lower in GDM mothers due to dietary interventions.

Maternal BPA levels in GDM pregnancies were positively associated with fetal birthweight.

Abstract

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, p < 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, p < 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.

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