New research investigates how a chemical found in some plastics may influence gene regulation during early development.
A new study has raised questions about the relationship between prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, commonly known as DEHP, and autism- and ADHD-related symptoms in young children. DEHP is a plasticizer used to make certain plastics more flexible, and it belongs to a wider group of chemicals known as phthalates. Researchers are investigating whether exposure during pregnancy may influence biological processes involved in early brain development. The study is particularly interesting because it examines not only the association between chemical exposure and developmental symptoms, but also a possible epigenetic mechanism that could help explain how environmental factors influence gene activity.
The Australian Study: What Did Researchers Investigate? Researchers examined data from the Barwon Infant Study, an Australian birth cohort involving hundreds of mother-infant pairs. Maternal DEHP exposure during pregnancy was estimated, and DNA from umbilical cord blood collected at birth was analysed to investigate patterns of DNA methylation. The children were subsequently assessed at ages two and four for autism- and ADHD-related symptoms. This approach allowed researchers to examine whether prenatal exposure was associated with molecular changes detectable at birth and whether those changes were related to developmental outcomes during early childhood. The study was published in Med, a Cell Press journal, in 2026, according to the supplied research reference.
What Is DEHP and Why Is It Being Investigated? DEHP is a chemical used to soften and increase the flexibility of certain plastics. It is one of several phthalates that have attracted scientific attention because some members of this chemical group can interfere with hormone signalling. Hormones play important roles in fetal growth, brain development and the regulation of many biological processes. During pregnancy, researchers are interested in whether exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals influencing these systems during sensitive developmental periods. DEHP exposure can occur through different environmental and consumer product pathways, including contact with certain plastic materials and food packaging.
DNA Methylation: How Can Chemicals Influence Gene Activity? DNA methylation is an epigenetic process in which chemical groups attach to DNA and influence how genes are regulated without changing the underlying DNA sequence. An easy way to understand this is to imagine DNA as an instruction manual containing the information needed to build and maintain the body. Epigenetic mechanisms help determine which instructions are more or less active in different cells and at different stages of development. Researchers examined DNA methylation patterns in umbilical cord blood to investigate whether prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with changes in gene regulation. The study reported distinctive methylation signatures involving networks of genes, including a network of 531 co-methylated genes. These molecular patterns were then examined in relation to autism and ADHD related symptoms measured during early childhood. This is important because it investigates a biological pathway rather than simply reporting a statistical association between exposure and behaviour.
What Did the Study Find About Autism and ADHD Symptoms? The research reported that higher estimated prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with distinctive DNA methylation patterns at birth. These patterns were also associated with elevated autism- and ADHD related symptoms at ages two and four. The researchers used mediation analysis to investigate whether DNA methylation could help explain part of the relationship between prenatal exposure and later symptoms. The findings suggested that the epigenetic signatures account for a substantial portion of the observed associations. The study also reported that the relationships appeared more pronounced among boys than girls.
Could Epigenetic Changes Affect Early Brain Development? The developing brain requires carefully regulated processes involving cell growth, communication between nerve cells, the formation of neural pathways and the coordination of attention, learning and social behaviour. Researchers are investigating whether environmental chemicals can influence these processes through changes in gene regulation. The study reported that the identified gene network was associated with neural cell type markers and genes previously implicated in autism and ADHD research. This provides a biological explanation for why prenatal chemical exposure is likely linked to later developmental symptoms.
Why Were the Findings More Pronounced Among Boys? The study reported stronger associations between the identified epigenetic markers and autism and ADHD-related symptoms among boys than girls. Sex-related differences in neurodevelopment are an important area of scientific investigation, and researchers are exploring whether biological, hormonal, genetic and environmental factors may contribute to different developmental patterns.
EndocrineDisrupting Chemicals and Pregnancy: Why Does This Matter? The research contributes to the wider scientific discussion about endocrine disrupting chemicals and their possible effects during pregnancy. Hormonal signalling is involved in fetal development, and researchers are investigating whether chemical exposures influence biological pathways during sensitive developmental windows. Epigenetic regulation is one possible mechanism, alongside hormonal effects, oxidative stress, inflammation and other cellular processes. The findings hopefully help guide future studies into how environmental exposures interact with genetic and developmental factors.
Practical Ways to Reduce Unnecessary Plastic Exposure During Pregnancy For pregnant women may wish to , reduce unnecessary exposure to certain plastic products which is a reasonable choice. They may choose to use glass or stainless steel containers for food and drinks, avoid unnecessarily heating food in plastic containers. Reducing unnecessary contact with products containing plasticizers would be a good option.
What More Research Is Needed? Future research will need to investigate whether the reported findings can be replicated in other populations and whether they remain consistent when researchers account for additional genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors. Studies that measure individual chemical exposure would help clarify the relationship between exposure levels and developmental outcomes.
Research Reference:
Tanner et al. Prenatal Exposure to the Plasticizer DEHP Increases the Likelihood of Early-Life Autism and ADHD Symptoms Through Epigenetic Programming (Barwon Infant Study). Med (Cell Press), 2026.
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Copyright Maryjayne Aria , author of Immune Health, Terrain and GcMAF.
