EARLY EXPOSURE TO ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED HEALTH EFFECTS LATER IN LIFE: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND FOR POLICY

摘要

A brief review of a model employed by developmental physicians and researchers to represent the interactions between genes, environment and specific exposures to different agents during early critical developmental stages in humans, is presented. Main categories of known or suspected harmful exposures include endocrine disruptors, preterm delivery, poor intra and extra uterine nutrition and impoverish environment. Endocrine disruptors are further discussed and the role they play as a potential planet-wide threat for the present and future of human beings is illustrated with two study cases: Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and Bisphenol A (BPS). Evidence linking antenatal-perinatal and infancy-early childhood exposure with detrimental somatic and neurodevelopmental outcomes is summarized and briefly discussed. A conceptual framework for identifying implications is proposed, and general implications for policy and research are presented.