Can Use of Lotions and Shampoos During Pregnancy Lead to Asthma in Baby? Study Provides Insights - Video

A new study from researchers at Kumamoto University sheds light on a potential link between exposure to certain everyday chemicals during pregnancy and the development of asthma in children. The study analyzed data from over 3,500 mother-child pairs as part of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), a large-scale nationwide research project.

Key Findings:

High levels of butylparaben, a chemical commonly used in personal care products like lotions and shampoos, during early pregnancy were associated with a 1.54-fold increase in the odds of asthma development in children (Odds Ratio: 1.54).

Exposure to 4-nonylphenol, a chemical found in some cleaning products and plastics, showed a striking gender-specific effect. Boys born to mothers exposed to this chemical had 2.09 times higher odds of developing asthma, while no such association was observed in girls.

Led by Dr. Shohei Kuraoka and his team at Southern Kyushu and Okinawa Unit Center of Japan Environment and Children’s Study, researchers measured 24 types of phenols in urine samples collected from pregnant women. They then tracked the health of their children until the age of four. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how everyday chemical exposures might contribute to respiratory and allergic conditions in children.

“These results emphasize the need for careful evaluation of chemical exposure during pregnancy,” said Dr. Kuraoka. “Understanding these risks allows us to develop better guidelines to protect maternal and child health.”

Reference: Kuraoka, S., Oda, M., Ohba, T., Mitsubuchi, H., Nakamura, K., Katoh, T., ... & Ohga, S. (2024). Association of phenol exposure during pregnancy and asthma development in children: The Japan Environment and Children's study. Environmental Pollution, 361, 124801.