Clinical Report: Persistent Pregnancy-Related Abdominal Colic Linked to Elevated Biomarkers

Overview

This case study presents a 35-year-old woman with recurrent pregnancy-related abdominal colic linked to elevated biomarkers of phthalates and parabens. Following a preconception intervention, her symptoms did not recur in a subsequent pregnancy.

Background

Recurrent abdominal colic during pregnancy is a rare and challenging clinical scenario, often leading to pregnancy terminations. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like phthalates and parabens are known to interfere with reproductive health, yet their specific role in pregnancy-related gastrointestinal syndromes remains uncertain.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• A 35-year-old woman experienced recurrent severe abdominal colic during five pregnancies.
• Symptoms began at 11–12 weeks gestation and resolved within 1–2 weeks after pregnancy termination.
• Initial urine biomonitoring revealed elevated levels of monoethyl phthalate, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
• A preconception intervention led to a decline in biomarker levels and a subsequent healthy pregnancy without recurrence of colic.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider environmental EDC exposure in patients with unexplained pregnancy-related morbidities.

Conclusion

This case study presents findings related to elevated EDC biomarkers and recurrent abdominal colic during pregnancy.

Related Resources & Content

1. Endocrine Society, Position Statement, 2025 -- Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
2. CDC, National Exposure Report, 2025 -- About the National Exposure Report
3. PubMed, 2025 -- A Systematic Literature Review of Reproductive Toxicological Studies on Phthalates
4. PubMed, 2025 -- Endocrine disrupting chemicals exposure and health: An umbrella review
5. conexiant — Phthalates Linked to Shorter Gestation
6. American Journal of Epidemiology — Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Urinary Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in the Chemicals in Our Bodies Study
7. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism — Prenatal Exposure to PFAS, Known as “Forever Chemicals,” May Lead to Long-Term Health Consequences
8. Archives of Toxicology — The Impact of 3,3'-Dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 11) on Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Expression in the Livers of Pregnant and Nursing Mice Following Oral Exposure
9. Phthalates Linked to Shorter Gestation
10. Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers
11. Prenatal Exposure to PFAS and Long-Term Health Consequences
12. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
13. About the National Exposure Report | National Exposure Report | CDC
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15. A Systematic Literature Review of Reproductive Toxicological Studies on Phthalates - PubMed
16. Endocrine disrupting chemicals exposure and health: An umbrella review - PubMed
17. Maternal exposure to specific endocrine-disrupting chemicals and gestational diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis | Scientific Reports
18. Assessment of human parabens exposure and health risk based on global biomonitoring data - PubMed
19. SAGES guidelines for the use of laparoscopy during pregnancy
20. 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections: Risk Assessment, Diagnostic Imaging, and Microbiological Evaluation in Adults, Children, and Pregnant People
21. The Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Green-top Guideline No. 69) - PubMed