Can plastic feeding tubes expose NICU babies to phthalates?

What's actually in it

Premature and sick newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) often receive nutrition through thin plastic feeding tubes inserted through the nose or mouth into the stomach. These tubes are typically made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which needs plasticizers to stay flexible. The most common plasticizer historically used in medical tubing is DEHP, a phthalate known to disrupt hormones.

Newer tubes use alternative plasticizers like DINCH or TOTM, marketed as safer replacements. But "safer" doesn't always mean safe, especially for the tiniest patients.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Environ Sci Technol measured phthalate and alternative plasticizer concentrations in enteral nutrition as it passed through NICU feeding tubes. The researchers tested what went into the tube versus what came out the other end to calculate exactly how much leached during feeding.

They detected both traditional phthalates and their replacements in the formula after it passed through the tubes. The amounts varied by tube brand and material, but exposure was consistent across all products tested. For a premature infant weighing just 1 to 2 kilograms, even small amounts translate to high doses per body weight.

The study flagged that NICU babies face a double risk: their organs are still developing, making them more sensitive to endocrine disruptors, and they receive continuous tube feeding for days or weeks, accumulating exposure over time.

Parents of NICU babies can ask medical staff about the brand and material of feeding tubes used. Some hospitals have switched to DEHP-free tubing, though the alternatives still leach chemicals at lower levels.