Plasma Phthalate Levels In Children With Speech Delay
Abstract Speech delay is one of the most common developmental problems. One of the risk factors may be the exposure to environmental chemicals. There is increased environmental exposure to phthalates, an endocrine-disrupting chemical. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship of phthalates with speech delay. We included 50 children with isolated speech delay and 40 healthy children of similar age. Children were surveyed for risk factors for speech delay and phthalate exposure. Plasma di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) levels were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. The DEHP, MEHP and DBP levels in study and control groups were 0.377 [0.003 - 1.224] µg/ml, 0.212 [0.007 - 1.112] µg/ml (p = 0.033), 0.523 [0.031 - 2.477] µg/ml, 0.152 [0.239 - 2.129] µg/ml (p <0.001), and 0.395 [0.062 - 1.996] µg/ml, 0.270 [0.006 - 0.528] µg/ml (p = 0.004), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to adjust the association between the phthalate levels and factors differing between the two groups in terms of delayed speech risk factors. While there was no significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of DEHP level (p=0.233), the MEHP and DBP levels were found significantly higher in the study group (p<0,001). Conclusion: The statistically significant higher phthalate levels in those with speech delay indicate that these children are more exposed to phthalates and more epidemiological studies are needed to evaluate the association between phthalates and speech delay.