High Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A Reduces Anogenital Distance in Healthy Male Newborns

OBJECTIVE To estimate the relationship between cord blood bisphenol A (BPA) levels and anogenital measurements in healthy newborns. METHODS Pregnancy and birth history, together with body mass and length data, anogenital measurements, penile measurements and cord blood samples were obtained from healthy newborns. Cord blood concentration of BPA was analyzed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit. RESULTS Among 130 healthy newborns (72 boys, 58 girls), mean anopenile distance was 45.2±6 mm and anoscrotal distance was 21.9±5.4 mm in boys; mean anoclitoral distance was 33.8±6.6 mm and mean anofourchette distance was 12.2±4.9 mm in girls. Mean cord blood BPA level was 4.75±2.18 ng/mL. 90th percentile value for cord blood BPA was 8.26 ng/mL and the analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between anoscrotal distance and cord blood BPA levels above the 90th percentile (p=0.047) in boys. The changes in anogenital distance in girls were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION We showed a significant association between high cord blood BPA levels and shortened anoscrotal distance in male newborns. However, this result should be interpreted with caution since there were no significant external genital abnormalities in our study group.