Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn?
Thousands of natural or manufactured chemicals were defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because they can interfere with hormone activity and the endocrine system. We summarize and discuss what we know and what we still need to learn about EDCs’ pathogenic mechanisms of action, as well a...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/19/11899 |
| _version_ | 1797478868781629440 |
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| author | Barbara Predieri Lorenzo Iughetti Sergio Bernasconi Maria Elisabeth Street |
| author_facet | Barbara Predieri Lorenzo Iughetti Sergio Bernasconi Maria Elisabeth Street |
| author_sort | Barbara Predieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thousands of natural or manufactured chemicals were defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because they can interfere with hormone activity and the endocrine system. We summarize and discuss what we know and what we still need to learn about EDCs’ pathogenic mechanisms of action, as well as the effects of the most common EDCs on endocrine system health in childhood. The MEDLINE database (PubMed) was searched on 13 May 2022, filtering for EDCs, endocrine diseases, and children. EDCs are a group of compounds with high heterogeneity, but usually disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking or interfering with natural hormones or interfering with the body’s hormonal balance through other mechanisms. Individual EDCs were studied in detail, while humans’ “cocktail effect” is still unclear. In utero, early postnatal life, and/or pubertal development are highly susceptible periods to exposure. Human epidemiological studies suggest that EDCs affect prenatal growth, thyroid function, glucose metabolism, obesity, puberty, and fertility through several mechanisms. Further studies are needed to clarify which EDCs can mainly act on epigenetic processes. A better understanding of EDCs’ effects on human health is crucial to developing future regulatory strategies to prevent exposure and ensure the health of children today, in future generations, and in the environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:37:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9d766a12ebb4fd0999ea3c705231dec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:37:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9d766a12ebb4fd0999ea3c705231dec2023-11-23T20:41:09ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-10-0123191189910.3390/ijms231911899Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn?Barbara Predieri0Lorenzo Iughetti1Sergio Bernasconi2Maria Elisabeth Street3Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults—Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71, 41124 Modena, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults—Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71, 41124 Modena, ItalyMicrobiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 11/A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43124 Parma, ItalyThousands of natural or manufactured chemicals were defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because they can interfere with hormone activity and the endocrine system. We summarize and discuss what we know and what we still need to learn about EDCs’ pathogenic mechanisms of action, as well as the effects of the most common EDCs on endocrine system health in childhood. The MEDLINE database (PubMed) was searched on 13 May 2022, filtering for EDCs, endocrine diseases, and children. EDCs are a group of compounds with high heterogeneity, but usually disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking or interfering with natural hormones or interfering with the body’s hormonal balance through other mechanisms. Individual EDCs were studied in detail, while humans’ “cocktail effect” is still unclear. In utero, early postnatal life, and/or pubertal development are highly susceptible periods to exposure. Human epidemiological studies suggest that EDCs affect prenatal growth, thyroid function, glucose metabolism, obesity, puberty, and fertility through several mechanisms. Further studies are needed to clarify which EDCs can mainly act on epigenetic processes. A better understanding of EDCs’ effects on human health is crucial to developing future regulatory strategies to prevent exposure and ensure the health of children today, in future generations, and in the environment.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/19/11899endocrine disruptorsexposurehormone receptorhuman healthpregnant womenchildren |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Predieri Lorenzo Iughetti Sergio Bernasconi Maria Elisabeth Street Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? International Journal of Molecular Sciences endocrine disruptors exposure hormone receptor human health pregnant women children |
| title | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? |
| title_full | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? |
| title_fullStr | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? |
| title_short | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children: What We Know and What We Need to Learn? |
| title_sort | endocrine disrupting chemicals effects in children what we know and what we need to learn |
| topic | endocrine disruptors exposure hormone receptor human health pregnant women children |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/19/11899 |
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