Phthalate Exposure During Pregnancy Weakens Baby's Immunity
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/8/2026
Babies whose mothers were exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have altered immune responses. Their antibody production is different.
Prenatal Phthalates and Infant Immunity
A 2026 study in Eur J Epidemiol linked individual phthalate concentrations during pregnancy to altered antibody titers in offspring. Different phthalates affected different antibody types, suggesting that prenatal chemical exposure programs the baby's immune system in ways that last.
If your immune system doesn't produce the right antibodies at the right levels, vaccines work less well and infections are harder to fight off.
What You Can Do
During pregnancy, avoid fragranced products, plastic food packaging, and vinyl products. Choose phthalate-free personal care items. Browse non-toxic baby products for a cleaner start.
Source: Authors (2026). Eur J Epidemiol.