How common plastic chemicals (phthalates and bisphenols) relate to infant reproductive development in early infancy

Phthalate and bisphenol exposure in relation to infant reproductive development during minipuberty

['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11324492

Researchers will look at whether chemicals from plastics that babies are exposed to affect hormone levels and genital growth during the first months of life.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11324492 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you join, your baby’s measurements and samples will be used to see if exposure to phthalates and bisphenols around birth and during early infancy links to hormone changes and anogenital distance during minipuberty. The project uses 480 full-term single infants enrolled in the NYU Children’s Health and Environment Study whose mothers gave repeated urine samples during pregnancy. Investigators will measure chemical levels in pregnancy and perinatal samples and compare them with infant hormone tests and physical AGD measurements during the first six months. Results will be used to understand whether common infant exposures from products like diapers, wipes, and bottles relate to early reproductive development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Full-term singleton infants and their mothers enrolled in the NYU CHES cohort who provided repeated pregnancy urine samples are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Preterm infants, multiple births, or families not enrolled in the NYU CHES cohort would likely not be eligible and would not directly benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify specific exposures that harm early reproductive development and support safer-product guidance or prevention strategies for infants.

How similar studies have performed: A few prior cross-sectional studies have found links between phthalates/bisphenols and infant hormones, but linking exposure during minipuberty to anogenital distance in a longitudinal cohort is largely new.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.