Decrease in Anogenital Distance A…l Phthalate Exposure

🔬 Peer-reviewed

Decrease in Anogenital Distance Among Male Infants with Prenatal Phthalate Exposure

Swan SH, Main KM, Liu F, Stewart SL, Kruse RL, Calafat AM, et al.

Environmental Health Perspectives · 2005

Findings

Prenatal phthalate exposure associated with shorter anogenital distance in male infants, indicating anti-androgenic effects

Design

Cohort

Sample

n=85

Evidence

Strong

Journal

Environmental Health Perspectives

Methodology

This prospective cohort study examined the relationship between prenatal phthalate exposure (measured in maternal urine) and anogenital distance (AGD) in male infants. Among 85 male infants, higher concentrations of four phthalate metabolites were associated with significantly shorter AGD — a marker of incomplete masculinization in animal studies. This was the first human study to demonstrate the anti-androgenic effects of phthalates observed in rodent models, and it became a cornerstone reference for phthalate regulation in cosmetics and personal care products.

Funded By

U.S. EPA, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

🧂Conflict of interest.