Can phthalates a pregnant mom is exposed to change her baby's brain development?
Yes. A 2025 Nature Communications study linked prenatal phthalates to changes in newborn metabolism and slower infant neurodevelopment.
What's actually in it
Phthalates are plasticizers used in vinyl flooring, food packaging, fragrance in lotions and shampoos, hairspray, cleaning products, and plastic food wrap. Pregnant women absorb them through skin, breathe them in from air fresheners, and eat them from food that touched plastic. The chemicals cross the placenta.
The developing brain runs on hormone signals. Phthalates disrupt thyroid hormone and sex hormones, both of which guide how neurons wire up in the womb.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Nat Commun measured phthalates in the urine of pregnant women, then looked at the metabolic fingerprint in their newborns' blood and tested infant neurodevelopment months later. Higher prenatal phthalates were linked to specific metabolic shifts at birth, including changes in fatty acid and amino acid pathways, and to lower scores on infant neurodevelopment tests. The metabolic changes helped explain the brain effects, which is a strong signal of a real biological link.
The hits came mostly from DEHP, DBP, and DiBP. Pregnant women who used more personal care products with fragrance, ate more fast food, or lived in older homes with vinyl flooring had higher exposure.
Cutting phthalates during pregnancy is straightforward if you know where they hide: unscented lotion, plastic-free food storage, home-cooked meals over takeout, and glass for leftovers.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Impact of prenatal phthalate exposure on newborn metabolome and infant neurodevelopment. | Nat Commun | 2025 |
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