Association of blood transfusion-related di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure with gut microbiota alterations in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE

Avoiding early-life exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) is critical for neonatal growth and long-term health. However, exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical EDC and plasticizer, is unavoidable in neonatal intensive care units due to contact with polyvinyl chloride medical devices.

METHODS

This study examined the impact of DEHP exposure through blood transfusion on gut microbiota development in preterm infants. To address this aim, the authors conducted a prospective cohort study, enrolling preterm infants between May 1, 2016, and March 30, 2021, who had not received blood transfusions or antibiotic treatment for at least seven consecutive days prior to enrollment. Fecal samples collected before and after transfusion underwent 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based next-generation sequencing analysis, while DEHP levels were measured in post-transfusion blood products. The average DEHP level in these products was 0.072 ± 0.03 mg/mL.

RESULTS

Initial analysis of 23 preterm infants (including five recruited twice) indicated that blood transfusion did not significantly alter bacterial composition and diversity. However, when examining recruitment events by postmenstrual age (PMA) or days of life (DOL), a significant increase in Enterococcus abundance was observed in both the lower PMA and younger DOL groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a possible association between early-life DEHP exposure via blood transfusion and altered gut microbiota. Further studies are needed to clarify causality and long-term health implications.