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Does Bisphenol-A play a role in the development of neural tube defects?

Journal of Perinatology (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

In this study, we aimed to evaluate BPA levels in the maternal serum and amniotic fluid of patients diagnosed with NTD. In addition, we wanted to investigate the relationship between neurodevelopmental defects, such as neural tube defects (NTD), and BPA levels.

Study design

This prospective observational study was carried out at Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital between April 15, 2021, and April 15, 2022. The study consisted of 92 patients between the ages of 18–45 who had an amniocentesis at 15–22 weeks of gestation. The patients were divided into two groups according to the indications of amniocentesis. Group 1 contained the patients with abnormal maternal serum screening results or cell-free DNA results and abnormal ultrasonography findings (45 patients). Group 2 contained the patients with a pre-diagnosis of NTD (47 patients). The first 5 cc fluids and maternal serum samples taken during the amniocentesis procedure of all patients were delivered to the biochemistry laboratory. The BPA values between groups were compared.

Results

A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of amniotic fluid BPA levels (36.66 (19.00:82.00) and 39.62 (19.02–73.87)) and maternal blood BPA levels (22.26 (12.60–228) and 47.81 (12.89–228.39)). In cases with NTD, amniotic fluid BPA levels and maternal blood BPA levels were significantly higher than the control group. When AUC values were compared, the AFP numerical value was higher than the amniotic fluid and maternal blood BPA levels.

Conclusion

Plastic, which is indispensable for modern life, may negatively affect fetal development in intrauterine life. The data in this study says that high maternal blood BPA may be associated with NTD.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Scatter chart based on cut-off values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Health Sciences School of Medicine Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Research and Training Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bursa, Turkey

    Nisa Aytac Bektas, Nefise Nazli Yenigul, Burcu Dincgez & Elif Yuce Bilgin

  2. University of Health Sciences School of Medicine Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Research and Training Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Bursa, Turkey

    Kaan Pakay

  3. University of Health Sciences School of Medicine Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Research and Training Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Bursa, Turkey

    Yasemin Ustundag

  4. University of Health Sciences School of Medicine Bursa City Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bursa, Turkey

    Emin Ustunyurt

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  1. Nisa Aytac Bektas
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Contributions

Conception, design, supervision: all authors; materials, data collection and/or processing, writing: Nisa Aytaç Bektaş; analysis and/or interpretation: Kaan Pakay, Elif Yüce Bilgin; literature review: Nefise Nazlı Yenigül; critical review: Emin Üstünyurt, Burcu Dinçgez.

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Correspondence to Nefise Nazli Yenigul.

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Aytac Bektas, N., Yenigul, N.N., Pakay, K. et al. Does Bisphenol-A play a role in the development of neural tube defects?. J Perinatol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-01925-3

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