Endocrine Abstracts

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made chemicals that can interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action or elimination of natural hormones in the body. They are found in numerous household and industrial products and we are therefore all exposed to a cocktail of these chemicals through food, indoor air and dust, personal care products and clothing. EDCs are measurable in serum or urine from almost all. Exposure to even low doses of EDCs at vulnerable time windows during fetal life and early childhood, when the organs are rapidly developing have long-term impact on future health and disease. Examples on adverse health effects will be provided from the Odense Child Cohort, in which 2500 pregnant women were enrolled from 2010-12 in early pregnancy and serum and urine samples were collected. Their offspring are being followed through the age of 18 years with extensive repeatedly collected information from both questionnaires, biological sampling and clinical examinations in order to study the importance of EDCs exposure on metabolic syndrome, immune system, reproduction, growth pattern and neuropsychological development. We have measured perfluroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, phenols, parabens and pesticides in serum and urine from more than 7000 mothers and children and have information on anogenital distance, weight and height and blood pressure, language development, asthma and allergy, infections, antibodies towards infections, ADHD, IQ, DXA, VO2 max and puberty.

Bullet points

• Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with hormones in the body

• We are all exposed to EDCs

• Fetus and child are vulnerable to EDC exposure

• EDC exposure during development have long term implications for health and disease

• In the Odense Child Cohort we have measured EDCs in serum and urine from more than 7000 mothers and children

• Maternal EDC exposure is associated with metabolic syndrome, immune system, reproduction, growth pattern and neuropsychological development in the offspring