Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2835

Background: Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are ubiquitous pollutants, contained in common materials, from plastics to detergents. They mimic hormonal activity and interfere in the normal functionality of the endocrine system. Pregnancy and childhood are considered periods of major susceptibility. Informing families about EDs risks is now an international public health challenge and, considering the Italian health system organization, we consider family pediatricians as favored in playing this role. Therefore, this study aims to assess the current knowledge and concerns about EDs of familial pediatric healthcare professionals in Italy.

Methods: We invited family pediatricians to voluntarily respond to a short online survey on EDs (17 items) available on the website of one of the major Italian family pediatric societies (Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri, FIMP) in August 2024.

Results: Out of more than 5300 FIMP members, only 90 completed the survey (72% working in an industrialized area). Even if 96% of interviewed pediatricians declared to be well-informed about EDs, only 33% knew specifically the materials/objects where EDs are located and the potential derived damages. Moreover, only 57% were already used to inform families about EDs and how to prevent their exposure during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood. When education is performed, only 10% of family pediatricians utilized predefined tools as paper and/or online information materials (e.g. brochures). The main sources of medical information were professional meeting (69% optional and 31% mandatory) and media (18%).

Conclusions: Even if preliminary, our data underline the gap of knowledge and the extreme need of specific training of the Italian familial pediatricians on this challenging topic. More effort should be directed to provide scientific information and tools to family pediatricians in order to simplify and standardize communication about the risks associated with EDs to families.