In utero exposure to bisphenol-A and its effect on birth weight of offspring

To examine the effect of in utero BPA exposure on the birth weight of offspring, a total of 587 children from families in which parent(s) did or did not have occupational exposure to BPA were examined. Their birth weights were obtained by an in-person interview of the mother. Parental BPA exposure level during the index pregnancy was determined through personal air sampling measurements and exposure history. After controlling for potential confounders, parental exposure to BPA in the workplace during pregnancy was associated with decreased birth weight. The association was stronger for maternal exposure which is statistically significant (P = 0.02). A dose–response relationship was observed with increased BPA exposure levels in pregnancy associated with greater magnitude of decrease of birth weight in offspring (P = 0.003). Our findings provide the new epidemiologic evidence suggesting that in utero exposure to BPA during pregnancy may be associated with decreased birth weight in offspring.