Evaluation of the Relationship Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Bisphenol A in Children Aged 6−14 Years

Abstract

Background

The incidence of hypothyroidism in childhood is increasing. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of exposure to bisphenol A, an environmental endocrine disruptor, and its substitutes in the development of hypothyroidism. To this end, thyroid hormone levels and urinary bisphenol concentrations were compared in newly diagnosed hypothyroid children and a healthy control group.

Methods

In this case-control study, 51 newly diagnosed hypothyroid children aged 6−14 years were matched with 51 healthy controls. The association between thyroid hormone levels and urinary bisphenol levels was investigated by measuring urinary bisphenol levels in both the case and control groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, sex or BMI percentile between the case and control groups. The groups were homogeneously distributed. When urinary bisphenol levels were examined, BPA, BPS, BPF and BPB were not detected in the control group. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of urinary bisphenol BPS levels. The case group showed a mean total concentration of 16.5 ng/mL and a median of 5.8 ng/mL. Diagnosing hypothyroidism in the children can be considered by examining the bisphenol level. In the ROC analysis, if this level is over 1.3 and is considered positive for hypothyroidism, the sensitivity value is determined as 83.7% and the specificity value is 75%.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that at least 50% of the children in the case group had bisphenol concentrations exceeding the highest value recorded in the control group, suggesting that total BP levels could be used as a potential biomarker for hypothyroidism.