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Parabens and benzophenones are compounds widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Although human exposure is widespread there is a limited number of epidemiological studies assessing the relationship between exposure to these chemicals and female reproductive health. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between paraben and benzophenone concentrations and reproductive outcomes among women attending a fertility center. This prospective cohort included 450 women undergoing in vitro treatment (IVF) at fertility clinic in Poland. The validated gas chromatography ion-tap mass spectrometry to assess concentrations of parabens in urine (methyl (MP), ethyl (EP), propyl (PP), butyl paraben (BP)) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) was used. To explore the relationship between concentrations of examined chemicals and reproductive outcomes (methaphase II (MII) oocyte yield, total oocyte yield, implantation rate, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, live births), multivariable generalized linear mixed model was used for the analysis. Increased exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a significant decrease in MII oocyte count (p = 0.007) when exposure to BP was treated as the continuous variable. Additionally, the exposure to BP in the highest quartile of exposure also decreases MII oocyte count (p = 0.02) compared to the lowest quartile. Urinary concentrations of BP were not related to total oocyte count, fertilization and implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, and live birth when the exposure variable was continuous variable or in the quartiles of exposure. Exposure to MP, EP, PP, the sum of examined parabens, and benzophenone-3 were not related to any of the examined reproductive outcomes. Exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a decrease in MII oocyte count among women attending fertility clinic rinsing concerns that exposure may have a potential adverse impact on embryological outcomes. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to minimize exposure. As this is the first study showing such an association, further research is needed to confirm these novel results in other populations. Graphical Abstract

Mothers’ milk is considered a channel by means of which new-borns are exposed to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), environmental pollutants entering food chain and accumulating in fat-rich tissues. In this study, the concentrations of selected PCDDs, PCDFs, and dl-PCBs (a total of 29 substances) in milk samples of 110 breast-feeding women from an urban area were analyzed using the high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry method. Environmental exposure to these substances was expressed by means of the World Health Organization Toxicity Equivalent (WHO-TEQ2005) using the Toxicity Equivalent Factor values from van der Berg et al. (Toxicol. Sci. 93: 223-241, 2006). Concentrations and WHO-TEQ2005 values were then searched for plausible relationships with selected demographic and diet-related factors. The total WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent for all 29 substances was (mean ± SD) 10.57 ± 4.57 pg/g fat, while the WHO-TEQ2005 levels of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs were 7.90 ± 4.17 pg/g fat and 2.67 ± 1.36 pg/g fat, respectively. The concentration and WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent of dl-PCBs correlated significantly with the mothers’ age (rP = 0.3814, p < 0.00005; rP = 0.2817, p < 0.005, respectively). The total WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent for all analyzed substances was found to be positively associated with the frequency of consumption of fish and dairy products (p < 0.05 for both associations). These outcomes must, however, be interpreted cautiously due to limited size of the study. The results of this paper may provide a basis for further studies on the exposure to PCDDs, PCDFs, and dl-PCBs, and mechanisms underlying their action.

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical mostly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins and thermal paper. Several studies have reported adverse health effects with BPA exposures, namely metabolic disorders and altered neurodevelopment in children, among others. The aim of this study was to explore BPA exposure, its socio-demographic and life-style related determinants, and its association with neurodevelopmental outcomes in early school age children from Poland. Methods A total of 250 urine samples of 7 year-old children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) were analyzed for BPA concentrations using high performance liquid chromatography with online sample clean-up coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). Socio-demographic and lifestyle-related data was collected by questionnaires or additional biomarker measurements. Emotional and behavioral symptoms in children were assessed using mother-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Cognitive and psychomotor development was evaluated by Polish adaptation of the Intelligence and Development Scales (IDS) performed by trained psychologists. Results Urinary BPA concentrations and back-calculated daily intakes (medians of 1.8 μg/l and 46.3 ng/kg bw/day, respectively) were similar to other European studies. Urinary cotinine levels and body mass index, together with maternal educational level and socio-economic status, were the main determinants of BPA levels in Polish children. After adjusting for confounding factors, BPA has been found to be positively associated with emotional symptoms (β: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.022; 0.27). Cognitive and psychomotor development were not found to be related to BPA levels. Conclusions This study represents the first report of BPA levels and their determinants in school age children in Poland. The exposure level was found to be related to child emotional condition, which can have long-term consequences including social functioning and scholastic achievements. Further monitoring of this population in terms of overall chemical exposure is required.

BACKGROUND: The studies on the impact of selenium (Se) levels in different pregnancy periods on child psychomotor functions are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of prenatal Se on child neurodevelopment. METHODS: The study population consisted of 410 mother-child pairs from Polish Mother and Child Cohort. Se levels were measured in each trimester of pregnancy, at delivery, and in cord blood by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Psychomotor development was assessed in children at the age of 1 and 2 y using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. RESULTS: Plasma Se levels decreased through pregnancy (from 48.3 ± 10.6 µg/l in the first trimester to 38.4 ± 11.8 µg/l at delivery; P < 0.05). A statistically significant positive association between Se levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and motor development (β = 0.2, P = 0.002) at 1 y of age, and language development (β = 0.2, P = 0.03) at 2 y of age was observed. The positive effect of Se levels on cognitive score at 2 y of age was of borderline significance (β = 0.2, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prenatal selenium status was associated with child psychomotor abilities within the first years of life. Further epidemiological and preclinical studies are needed to confirm the association and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these effects.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) is associated with poor pregnancy outcome including increases risk of spontaneous abortion, stilbirth, low birth weight, preterm delivery and sudden infant death syndrome. ETS exposure after birth can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory infections, asthma, middle ear diseases or even cancer and it can cause neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prenatal and postnatal child exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 150 women from Lodz, Poland among which detail questionnaires were conducted three times during pregnancy period. From all women included into the study the saliva sample was collected to verify smoking status in pregnancy. One and two years after delivery additional questionnaires were performed and urine sample from all children was collected. The cotinine level in saliva and urine was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS ESI+). Results: About 22% of the children were expose to ETS during prenatal and 46% in postnatal period. Cotinine level in children's urine statistically differentiated children from smoking mothers (geometric mean (GM) 11.4 ng/ml; 95% CI 7.1-18.3) and in exposed homes (GM 7.3 ng/ml; 95% CI 3.6- 15.0) compared with non-exposed homes (GM 1.3 ng/ml; 95% CI 0.9-1.7) (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Children should be more protected from ETS exposure in prenatal and postnatal period.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on pregnancy outcome and children's health. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of pregnant women and their children followed up to two years of life. Pregnant women were interviewed three times during pregnancy. From all women included into the study the saliva sample was collected. Assessment of child ETS exposure within two years after birth was based on questionnaires, confirmed by biochemical verification of cotinine level in child urine. Cotinine level in biological samples was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Pregnancy outcomes were noticed by neonatologist. The children's health focused on anthropometry indicators and the incidences of respiratory infections and allergy was performed by pediatricians during the first and second year of life. Results: For the lower cotinine levels in saliva (up to 10 ng/ml) we observed increasing trend in birth weight, head and chest circumference with the increasing level of cotinine (p trend < 0.05). For the cotinine level higher than 10 ng/ml we noticed decreasing trend for birthweight, head and chest circumference as the level of this biomarker increased. The newborn length decreased with the increasing cotinine level in saliva (p trend < 0.001). There were no statistically significant associations between ETS exposure and anthropometric measurements within first two years of life. Such exposure increases the risk of pneumonia but the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: All effort should be taken to eliminate the child ETS exposure.

Background: In Poland about 30% of children is exposed to environmental tobacco smoke during prenatal period and more than 50% in postnatal one. Such exposure has serious health consequences including negative effect on child neurodevelopment. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on child psychomotor development. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of children with well assessed prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (three times analysis of cotinine level in saliva of pregnant women). Assessment of child ETS exposure within two years after birth was based on questionnaires conducted with mothers, confirmed by biochemical verification of cotinine level in child urine. The cotinine level in biological samples was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MSMS). The Bayley Scale for Infant and Toddler Development (BESID-III) was used for the evaluation of child neurodevelopment. Results: Multivariative analysis (including gender, birth order of the child and parental educational status) indicated the statistically significant association between child ETS exposure and cognitive development (b=-4,0; p=0,04). ETS exposure has also negative impact on motor (b=- 2.7; p=0.2) and language (b=-3.4; p=0.08) abilities of the child although the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Maternal smoking was found to be related to a decrease child neurodevelopment although it impossible to separate the prenatal from postnatal exposure. All effort should be taken to eliminate the child ETS exposure.