The phthalates are everywhere or almost … However, they constitute a real danger for pregnant women by increasing the risk of premature childbirth. These chemicals present in plastics but also perfumes, deodorants and even certain drinks are extremely harmful to pregnant women because their contact increases the risk of having a premature child. In any case, these are the conclusions of a scientific study by the University of Michigan.
To arrive at this result, the study authors analyzed urine samples and their phthalate levels from 130 women who gave birth prematurely and 352 others who gave birth at term.
A significant link between prematurity and the level of phthalates in the urine
“Our results indicate a significant association between exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and premature births, which supports previous laboratory observations and the results of epidemiological studies, “said Kelly Ferguson of the University of Michigan School of Public Health. As exposure to phthalates is widespread, the authors consider that “These conclusions are applicable to the general population and applicable not only to all American women but to all women in the world.” Dr Shanna Swan, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, confirms in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatric that this new research “is the most serious to date suggesting that phthalates are everywhere in the environment of patients. pregnant women and could be an important factor explaining premature births, the causes of which are currently unknown “.
Kelly Ferguson calls on the authorities to take into consideration the risks of exposure to phthalates in pregnant women and recalls that “previous studies revealed the link between exposure to phthalates and inflammation of the uterus and therefore the risk of prematurity as well as other health risks for mother and child. “
Every year, 15 million children are born prematurely around the world. Among them, 1 million do not survive.