Gestational Exposures to Phthalates and Folic Acid, and Autistic Traits in Canadian Children
Youssef Oulhote, Bruce P. Lanphear, Joseph M. Braun, Glenys M. Webster, Tye E. Arbuckle, Taylor Etzel, Nadine Forget‐Dubois, Jean R. Séguin, Maryse F. Bouchard, Amanda J MacFarlane, Emmanuel Ouellet, William D. Fraser, Gina Muckle
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The etiology of autism spectrum disorder is poorly understood. Few studies have investigated the link between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and autistic traits. We examined the relationship between gestational phthalates and autistic traits in 3- to 4-y-old Canadian children. We also investigated potential effect modification by sex and folic acid supplementation. METHODS: -scores with a doubling in phthalate concentrations in 510 children with complete data. RESULTS: ). CONCLUSIONS: Higher gestational concentrations of some phthalate metabolites were associated with higher scores of autistic traits as measured by the SRS-2 in boys, but not girls; these small size effects were mitigated by first trimester-of-pregnancy folic acid supplementation. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5621.