Early homeostatic disturbances of human growth and maturation by endocrine disrupters.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We attempt to delineate and integrate aspects of growth and development that could be affected by endocrine disrupters [endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC)], an increasing public health concern.

RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiological and experimental data substantiate that fetal and early postnatal life are critical periods of exposure to endocrine disrupters, with possible transgenerational effects. The EDC effects include several disorders of the reproductive system throughout life (abnormalities of sexual differentiation, infertility or subfertility and some neoplasia) and disorders of energy balance (obesity and metabolic syndrome). The mechanisms are consistent with the concept of 'developmental origin of adult disease'. They could involve cross-talk between the factors controlling reproduction and those controlling energy balance, both in the hypothalamus and peripherally.

SUMMARY: Due to ubiquity of endocrine disrupters and lifelong stakes of early exposure, individual families should be provided by pediatricians with recommendations following the precautionary principle, that is prevention or attenuation of conditions possibly detrimental to health before the evidence of such adverse effects is complete and undisputable.