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littlemissmartypants

(35,048 posts)
Thu Jun 11, 2026, 02:25 PM 12 hrs ago

Prenatal exposure to phthalates is associated with decreased anogenital distance and penile size in male newborns

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Abstract
Reproductive effects from phthalate exposure have been documented mostly in animal studies. This study explored the association between prenatal exposure to phthalate metabolites, anogenital distance and penile measurements in male newborns in Toluca, State of Mexico. A total of 174 pregnant women provided urine samples for phthalate analysis during their last prenatal visit, and the 73 who gave birth to male infants were included in the study. The 73 male newborns were weighed and measured using standardized methods after delivery. After adjusting for creatinine and supine length at birth, significant inverse associations were observed between an index of prenatal exposure to total phthalate exposure and the distance from the anus to anterior base of the penis (β = −0.191 mm per 1 µg/l, P = 0.037), penile width (β = −0.0414, P = 0.050) and stretched length (β = −0.2137, P = 0.034); prenatal exposure to mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate exposure was associated with a reduction in the stretched length of the penis (β = −0.2604, P = 0.050). Human exposure to phthalates is a public health concern, and the system most vulnerable to its potential effects seems to be the immature male reproductive tract.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3862078/

Publisher's version with references:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-developmental-origins-of-health-and-disease/article/abs/prenatal-exposure-to-phthalates-is-associated-with-decreased-anogenital-distance-and-penile-size-in-male-newborns/57DFA15A7D13A18419CF57D8A03AC5AC

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Prenatal exposure to phthalates is associated with decreased anogenital distance and penile size in male newborns (Original Post) littlemissmartypants 12 hrs ago OP
Chemicals used in plastic, including food packaging? sinkingfeeling 12 hrs ago #1
So many MAGA boys TommyT139 12 hrs ago #2
All while placing undue pressure on pregnancy related to population growth and littlemissmartypants 12 hrs ago #3

TommyT139

(2,457 posts)
2. So many MAGA boys
Thu Jun 11, 2026, 02:32 PM
12 hrs ago

...all concerned about falling birth rates, "manliness," yadda yadda...yet unwilling to regulate and restrict production of environmental toxins and hormone disruptors, even in foods and beverages.

littlemissmartypants

(35,048 posts)
3. All while placing undue pressure on pregnancy related to population growth and
Thu Jun 11, 2026, 02:45 PM
12 hrs ago

Gutting social, emotional, and financial support for maternal health at every step in the process.

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