To evaluate the sex-specific associations between maternal BPA exposure during pregnancy and children's BMI and BMI Z-score from early childhood through age 10.
Approach:
Study Design: A prospective cohort study using data from the Environment and Development of Children (EDC) cohort in South Korea.
Population: The study involved 528 mother-child pairs, with children followed at five time points (ages 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years) between 2012 and 2019.
Exposure Assessment: Maternal BPA exposure was measured from urine samples collected during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Anthropometric Measurements: Children's height and weight were measured at each follow-up visit to calculate BMI and BMI Z-score.
Statistical Analysis: Mean BMI and BMI Z-score were visualized over time by maternal BPA exposure.
Key Findings:
Higher maternal BPA levels were associated with increased BMI in boys.
In girls, higher maternal BPA levels were associated with decreased BMI outcomes.
The study provides novel insights from an Asian population regarding early-life BPA exposure and childhood obesity.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study may be limited by the specific geographic and demographic characteristics of the cohort.
Potential confounding factors may not have been fully accounted for.
