Prenatal Exposure to Butyl Paraben Is Associated With Fat Percentage in 7-Year-Old Boys

Abstract Context Parabens are used as preservatives in consumer products but suspected of having endocrine-disrupting properties. A recent study reported an association between utero exposure to butyl paraben and overweight childhood, with a stronger trend girls. Objective We therefore studied the parabens maternal urine third trimester fat percentage children aged 7 years. Design, Setting, Participants data from Odense Child Cohort, mother-child cohort enrollment 2010 2012, which followed. Paraben concentration was assessed at median gestational week 28.7 body composition measured total, gynoid, android percentages by dual X-ray absorptiometry their age Main Outcome Measurements Total, z-score for mass index. Interventions None. Results low. In multivariate linear regressions, detection butylparaben associated increase 17% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.0%, 32%] total 23% (95% CI 5.1%, 43%) boys, compared boys whose mother had no detectable urine. No significant associations methyl-, ethyl- or propyl were found, seen Conclusion Our findings suggest that parabens, believed have low toxicity, may affect obesity development vulnerable time periods during development.