Pediatrics Health

Biography

Biography: Rania Nabil Sabry

Abstract

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume industrial chemical used in manufacturing of polycarbonate and other plastic products and epoxy resin that line food cans. It is found in most products of daily life such as reused bottles, electronic equipment, medical devices as dental sealants and plastic containers. Epoxy resins are used in the internal coating of food and beverage cans in order to protect food and drinks from direct contact with metals. Experimental and human evidence suggest that BPA is a reproductive toxicant. It has been reported that BPA increases carcinogenic risk, the risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in adults and childhood obesity. In addition, prenatal BPA exposure has also been associated with adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in children. Young children may be more susceptible to BPA exposure in daily life because of using plastic bottles or drinking bottled beverages. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has estrogen like action at doses within the range of human exposure and may also interfere with androgens, thyroid hormones, and cell signalling pathways. Since the major route of human exposure to BPA is the dietary pathway, BPA is rapidly absorbed and mainly excreted in the urine as BPA conjugates. The urinary concentration of total (free plus conjugated) BPA has been used to assess the exposure level of BPA from all sources. The aim of this study is to analyse whether increased consumption and packaging of different food types in a sample of Egyptian children  will be associated with higher urinary levels of BPA or not.

Subjects and Methods: A random sample of 305 children and adolescents from 2-18 years old of different social levels were included. Three public and two private Egyptian Schools were chosen using a list of random numbers. Forty nine preschoolers were enrolled in the study. Personal history as well as anthropometric measurements including: weight, height, waist & hip circumference were taken. BMI was calculated. Urine samples were collected from 297 children and adolescents. Participants were classified into two groups according to their age. The first group included participants less than 12 years old and the second group included those who were 12 years or above. Urinary BPA, was categorized into quartiles (<1.3 ng/mL, 1.3-< 2.6 ng/mL, 2.6-4.9ng/mL, >4.9 ng/mL).

Results: Higher BPA levels were found in elder children ≥12 years (p=0.01). Increased different food types(processed Meat, animal protein, carbohydrates and eggs) consumption or food packaging (including plastic boxes and plastic jars)is not associated with increased urinary BPA levels. Chips consumption only is significantly associated with increased urinary BPA levels (p=0.046). There is no significant relationship between water usage or storage and urinary BPA levels. This study results are not in agreement with previous studies due to that in Egypt, using canned food is of limited use so we can not judge on its effect on BPA levels accurately. Lastly, Diet is not the only source of BPA levels in urine, there are a lot of factors affecting BPA levels in urine as air pollution, manufacturing of food, floor covering and food storage so we have to put this into consideration when we assess BPA levels.

Conclusion: Food consumption have no effect on urinary BPA levels except for chips, higher chips consumers had a significantly decreased levels of BPA in urine.