During the last decades, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have attracted the attention of the scientific community, as a result of a deepened understanding of their effects on human health. These compounds, which can reach populations through the food chain and a number of daily life products, are known to modify the activity of the endocrine system. Regarding vulnerable groups like pregnant mothers, the potential damage they can cause increases their importance, since it is the health of two lives that is at risk. EDCs can affect the gestation process, altering fetal development, and eventually inducing the appearance of many disorders in their childhood and/or adulthood. Because of this, several of these substances have been studied to clarify the influence of their prenatal exposure on the cognitive and psychomotor development of the newborn, together with the appearance of non-communicable diseases and other disorders. The most novel research on the subject has been gathered in this narrative review, with the aim of clarifying the current knowledge on the subject. EDCs have shown, through different studies involving both animal and human investigation, a detrimental effect on the development of children exposed to the during pregnancy, sometimes with sex-specific outcomes. However, some other studies have failed to find these associations, which highlights the need for deeper and more rigorous research, that will provide an even more solid foundation for the establishment of policies against the extended use of these chemicals.

Parabens are preservatives that are widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods, which raise concern due to their potential as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). According to PRISMA guidelines, this study analyzes paraben concentrations in foods globally, with no temporal or geographical restrictions. Of the 713 initially identified articles, 75 were included and classified into 14 food groups. In the European Union (EU), the highest levels pertained to methylparaben and were detected in dairy products (302.82 ng g^-1), vegetables (231.90 ng g^-1) and eggs (229.90 ng g^-1), albeit within regulatory safety limits. However, cumulative exposure from multiple contaminated food sources could lead to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) being exceeded. Outside of the EU, especially in China and Saudi Arabia, higher concentrations were reported in processed condiments (methylparaben: 495700.00 ng g^-1), vegetables (ethylparaben: 312600.00 ng g^-1) and cookies (methylparaben: 253700.00 ng g^-1), with levels far exceeding those found in the EU. Stronger worldwide controls are required to reduce paraben exposure through food.

The growing concern about exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and their effects on human health, especially the possible neurobehavioral effects in children, makes a review of the scientific evidence on the subject important. The study conducts a systematic review and applies meta-analysis to determine whether there is a relationship between bisphenol exposure and behavioral development in children, as measured by the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC). In June and July 2024, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline with PubMed were the databases used to search for studies within the scope of this study. A total of 562 articles were found, of which 59 were analyzed; finally, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review and 7 for the meta-analysis. The scales measured in the different studies have been aggression, attention, hyperactivity, depression, anxiety and somatization; behavioral indices (behavioral symptom index, externalizing and internalizing behaviors) were also analyzed. Most of the studies found no significant associations and no consistency in the results obtained. The heterogeneity in the design of the studies made it impossible to generate conclusive results in the application of meta-analysis. There is a sex-based differentiation in the behavioral effects associated with bisphenol exposure, as bisphenols affect boys and girls differently, potentially through mechanisms involving estrogen receptors, among other biological pathways. Our study highlights the need to improve and homogenize the design and results of epidemiological studies to extract data effectively. More results are needed to be able to draw conclusions.

Background: Childhood obesity has become a major public health concern worldwide, and increasing attention is being paid to the potential role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as parabens. Understanding environmental contributors is essential for early prevention strategies. Objectives: The aim of the present research was to determine the presence of parabens in hair samples and to examine its association with excess weight and obesity in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 104 cases and 166 controls (3–12 year olds) were recruited. Sociodemographic and lifestyle data and hair and urine samples were gathered. UHPLC-MS/MS coupled to a triple quadrupole detector was used for the quantitative determination of six parabens (methylparaben [MetPB], ethylparaben [EthPB], butylparaben [ButPB], propylparaben [PropPB], and isopropylparaben [i-PropPB]). The relationship between the concentration of parabens in hair and urine was examined according to Spearman correlation coefficients. Finally, binary logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the relationship of parabens with excess weight/obesity. Results: Detected paraben levels were higher in cases. A weak correlation was produced between hair and urine concentrations, with the exception of i-PropP (hair)/PropPB (urine) and i-PropP (hair)/i-PropPB (urine) in boys, and i-PropPB (hair)/PropPB (urine) in girls. A high level of PropPB was associated with a 4.67 times greater risk of excess weight/obesity only in the boys. Conclusions: In males, a high concentration of PropPB in hair is associated with excess weight and obesity.

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) like intellectual disability (ID) are highly heritable, but the environment plays an important role. For example, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues, have been termed neuroendocrine disruptors. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) on cognitive function in Spanish schoolchildren according to dietary bisphenol exposure. Methods: A total of 102 children aged 6–12 years old were included. Ten SNPs in genes involved in brain development, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmission (BDNF, NTRK2, HTR2A, MTHFR, OXTR, SLC6A2, and SNAP25) were genotyped. Then, dietary exposure to bisphenols (BPA plus BPS) was estimated and cognitive functions were assessed using the WISC-V Spanish form. Results: BDNF rs11030101-T and SNAP25 rs363039-A allele carriers scored better on the fluid reasoning domain, except for those inheriting the BDNF rs6265-A allele, who had lower scores. Secondly, relevant SNP–bisphenol interactions existed in verbal comprehension (NTRK2 rs10868235 (p-int = 0.043)), working memory (HTR2A rs7997012 (p-int = 0.002), MTHFR rs1801133 (p-int = 0.026), and OXTR rs53576 (p-int = 0.030)) and fluid reasoning (SLC6A2 rs998424 (p-int = 0.004)). Conclusions: Our findings provide the first proof that exploring the synergistic or additive effects between genetic variability and bisphenol exposure on cognitive function could lead to a better understanding of the multifactorial and polygenic aetiology of NDDs.

Obesity, considered a worldwide epidemic, generate great interest to the scientific community due to its impact on public health. Particularly in children because of their vulnerability. In view of the bidirectional relationship between obesity and neurodevelopmental aspects, this study aims to evaluate the effect of excess weight on cognitive and behavioural development. A total of 130 Spanish children (3 to 12 years) were included. Cognitive function and behaviour were assessed using the validated Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISC-V) and Behaviour Assessment System for Children-3 (BASC-3) tests, respectively. Individuals were classified into groups according to body mass index (BMI) (normal weight and overweight/obesity). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to address the influence of excess weight on cognitive-behavioural functioning. The results showed that infants who had overweight/obesity were more likely to have lower scores on the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ: OR adjusted = 3.81, p = 0.006), verbal comprehension (VCI: OR adjusted = 2.57, p = 0.045), fluid reasoning (FRI: OR adjusted = 2.79, p value = 0.030) and working memory index (WMI: OR adjusted = 3.59, p = 0.008). No statistically significant results were found between excess weight and behavioural outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors. Secondly, Spearman's correlation analyses revealed a set of inverse correlations between cognitive ability and various behavioural and emotional problems, especially in cases group. In conclusion, excess weight may be negatively associated with a worse cognitive performance. Further, poorer cognitive function may lead to greater vulnerability to neurobehavioral disturbances in children with excess weight. These results underscore the need of further investigation.