A new study finds that unborn children who are exposed to hazardous chemicals, many of which are commonplace in everyday life, have an increased risk of developing liver disease.
Researchers from Mount Sinai in New York City and the University of Southern California discovered that an expectant mother is regularly exposed to several chemicals.
Increasing research indicates that many chemicals to which people around the world are frequently exposed pose greater risks than previously believed.
The groundbreaking research is the first to establish a direct link between this type of prenatal exposure and conditions such as liver cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.
Dr. Vishal Midya, the study’s lead author and a researcher from Mount Sinai, said in a statement, “These findings can inform more effective early-life prevention and intervention strategies to combat the current non-alcoholic fatty liver disease epidemic.”
From 2003 to 2010, researchers collected data from 1,108 mothers and their children and published their findings in JAMA Network Open on Wednesday.
First, blood or urine samples were taken from pregnant mothers to determine the levels of 45 chemicals.
Years later, when the children were between the ages of six and eleven, their blood levels for cytokeratin-18 and other enzymes that are frequently associated with liver diseases were measured.
Following up, researchers discovered clear correlations between several household chemicals and biomarkers in children that put them at risk for developing liver problems in the future.
These chemicals are referred to as “endocrine-disrupting” because they can inhibit the production of hormones in the body.
They have been linked to the development of cancer and other developmental difficulties in some children.
We are daily exposed to these chemicals through the consumption of food and water and the use of consumer goods. Dr. Damaskini Valvi, a senior author from Mount Sinai, said, “This is a serious public health problem.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning about “permanent chemicals” last month. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are widespread in the home, particularly on non-stick surfaces, were found to be significantly more hazardous than previously believed.
These chemicals are strongly linked to the development of multiple liver diseases later in life, warn researchers.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is among the most dangerous diseases that can affect the liver.
It develops when a person’s liver becomes so clogged with fat that it interferes with the organ’s ability to function.
Valvi continued, ‘These findings demonstrate that early life exposure to many endocrine-disrupting chemicals is a risk factor for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and they highlight the need for additional research to clarify how environmental chemical exposures may interact with genetic and lifestyle factors in the pathogenesis of the liver disease.
Researchers estimate that it affects up to 10 percent of children worldwide, with those who are obese being the most susceptible.
Dr. Robert Wright, chair of environmental medicine at Mount Sinai, stated, “By understanding the environmental factors that accelerate fatty liver disease, we can reduce people’s risk by providing them with actionable information to make informed decisions that reduce the risk or impact of the disease.”
Experts have long linked prenatal exposure to toxic substances and pollutants to birth defects and other lifelong issues a child may face.
The most well-known is fetal alcohol syndrome, but a growing body of research indicates that marijuana use during pregnancy can also harm a fetus.
What is non-alcoholic liver steatosis?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a group of conditions in which fat is stored in the liver, but not in those who consume excessive alcohol.
Those who are overweight or obese are at the greatest risk for developing the disease. Diets high in fat and sugar can also be harmful.
It frequently causes fatigue, pain in the liver region, swelling, an enlarged spleen, and other symptoms.
Cirrhosis – scarring of the organ’s tissue – can frequently result from untreated or improperly managed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Scarred liver tissue is more susceptible to cancer, liver failure, and other liver-related conditions.
