Prenatal exposure to synthetic phenols assessed in multiple urine samples and dysregulation of steroid hormone homeostasis in two European cohorts

Some synthetic phenols alter hormonal pathways involved in successful pregnancy and fetal development. Despite high within-subject temporal variability of phenols, previous studies mostly utilized spot urine samples to assess pregnancy exposure. Herein we investigated associations between pregnancy exposure to eight phenols assessed in multiple pooled urine samples and steroid hormones assessed in maternal hair reflecting cumulative hormone levels over the previous weeks to months.