Gea M, Toso A, Bentivegna GN, Buganza R, Abrigo E, De Sanctis L, Schilirò T. Oestrogenic Activity in Girls with Signs of Precocious Puberty as Exposure Biomarker to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Pilot Study.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022;
20:14. [PMID:
36612336 PMCID:
PMC9819927 DOI:
10.3390/ijerph20010014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure and Precocious Puberty (PP) was investigated in this pilot study, involving girls with signs of PP (P) and pre-pubertal girls (C). Risk factors for PP were assessed through questionnaires, while 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels and oestrogenic activity were quantified on sera. The oestrogenic activity, expressed as E2 equivalent concentration (EEQ), was applied as EDC exposure biomarker. Questionnaires showed a low EDC knowledge, a high EDC exposure, and a potential relationship between some habits at risk for EDC exposure and PP. EEQs were similar between C and P; however, they were significantly higher in girls living in an urban environment than in girls living in a rural environment, suggesting a potential higher EDC exposure in cities. The results of this pilot study highlighted the need to raise awareness on EDCs and can be considered a starting point to clarify the relationship between EDC exposure and PP.
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