Early life phthalate exposure impacts gray matter and white matter volume in infants and young children

Emily J. Werder, Kun Lu, Chih-Wei Liu, Jake E. Thistle, Julia E. Rager, Gang Li, Zhengwang Wu, Tengfei Li, Li Wang, Dale P. Sandler, John H. Gilmore, Joseph Piven, Hongtu Zhu, Weili Lin, Stephanie M. Engel

Abstract: Highlights•Phthalate metabolite concentrations are associated with lower gray matter volume.•Phthalate metabolite concentrations are associated with higher white matter volume.•Among boys, exposure associations were more pronounced with gray matter.•Among girls, exposure associations were more pronounced with white matter.•Significant sex differences for ∑DEHP with gray matter and ∑DINCH with white matter.

External IDs:doi:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121826