Exposure to dangerous chemicals before birth increases the risk of developing liver disease –

Unborn babies who are exposed to dangerous chemicals, many of which are common in everyday life, have a higher risk of developing liver disease, according to a new study.

Researchers from Mount Sinai, New York City and the University of Southern California have found many of the chemicals a pregnant woman may interact with on a regular basis.

There is increasing research showing that many chemicals expose people around the world to more dangers than previously believed.

Pioneering research is the first to specifically link such prenatal exposure with conditions such as infant liver cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

After watching the monthly babies years later, they found a clear association between chemical exposure and the risk of developing liver disease later in life.

“These findings may lead to more effective early childhood prevention and intervention strategies to address the current nonalcoholic fatty liver disease epidemic,” he said. Vishal Midya, lead author of the study and Mount Sinai researcher, said in a statement.

Publishing their findings Wednesday on the open JAMA Network, the researchers collected data from 1,108 mothers and their children from 2003 to 2010.

First, the mothers had their blood or urine measured during their pregnancy to test for levels of 45 chemicals.

Years later, when the child was six to 11 years old, they were followed, with blood levels measured for cytokeratin-18 and other enzymes often associated with liver disease.

After follow-up, the researchers found a clear association between most household chemicals and children with biomarkers that could cause liver problems later in life.

These chemicals are described as “endocrine disruptions” because they can interfere with the development of hormones in the body.

They are linked to the cause of cancer formation and other developmental problems in some children.

“We are all exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the use of consumer products. This is a serious public health issue,” said Dr Damaskini Valvi, senior author of Mount Sinai.

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency warned against “forever chemicals.” Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can be found throughout the house, especially on non-stick surfaces, and have been found to be much more dangerous than previously believed.

The researchers warn that these chemicals are strongly linked to the development of multiple liver disorders later in life.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most dangerous conditions that can affect the organ.

It occurs when a person begins to accumulate fat in the liver, impairing the organ’s ability to do its job.

These findings demonstrate that exposure to many endocrine-disrupting chemicals in early childhood is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and highlight the need for further research to clarify how exposure to environmental chemicals may interact with genetic and lifestyle factors in pathogenesis. liver disease,” Valvi continued.

The researchers write that it affects 10% of children worldwide, with the obese being most at risk.

“By understanding the environmental factors that precipitate fatty liver disease, we can reduce their risk by providing information for people to make informed choices that reduce the risk or impact of the disease,” he said. said Robert Wright, head of environmental medicine at Mount Sinai.

Experts have long linked exposure to harmful substances and pollutants before birth with birth defects and other problems that can affect a baby for a lifetime.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is the best known, and there is a growing body of research showing that cannabis use during pregnancy can also harm the fetus.