Study Reveals Link Between Phthalate Exposure and Increased Risk of Allergic Rhinitis in Children

The study, published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, underscores the potential harmful effects of phthalates, commonly used chemicals found in various household and consumer products, and offers new insights into the pathogenesis and prevention of AR.

The study specifically highlighted a statistically significant link between urinary DEHP exposure and an increased risk of allergic rhinitis in children, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with phthalate exposure.

Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable. They are prevalent in everyday items such as toys, flooring, and personal care products. Despite their widespread use, concerns about their safety, particularly children’s health, have been growing. The link between phthalate exposure and allergic rhinitis remains uncertain. To fill this knowledge gap, Yong Joo Park, College of Pharmacy, Kyungsung University, Busan, Korea, and colleagues performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to thoroughly assess the connection between phthalate exposure and the risk of allergic rhinitis in children.

For this purpose, the researchers searched the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, and PubMed to gather relevant studies and calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk estimation.

Ultimately, 18 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising seven cross-sectional studies, seven case-control studies, and four prospective cohort studies.

The researchers reported the following findings:

• Pooled data revealed a significant association between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure in children's urine and AR risk (OR = 1.188).
• Prenatal exposure to combined phthalates and their metabolites in maternal urine was significantly associated with the risk of childhood AR (OR = 1.041). However, specific types of phthalates and their metabolites were not significant.
• The researchers also examined environmental phthalate exposure in household dust and found no significant association with AR risk (OR = 1.021).

According to the authors, the study represents the first extensive systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between phthalate exposure and the risk of allergic rhinitis in children. It identifies a statistically significant association between urinary DEHP levels and an increased risk of AR and emphasizes the effects of prenatal phthalate exposure. These findings highlight the urgent need to reduce phthalate exposure among pregnant women and children.

"The research offers critical insights into the mechanisms and prevention strategies for childhood AR, providing valuable information for clinicians, public health officials, and policymakers focused on environmental health and pediatric allergies," the authors concluded.

Reference:

Oh, Y., Hong, J., & Park, Y. J. (2024). Association between phthalate exposure and risk of allergic rhinitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 35(9), e14230. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.14230