What is DEHP?
DEHP is part of a family of chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals are used to make PVC plastic soft and flexible. Because it does not bind with the plastic, DEHP can leach out of the product and into the patient.
What are the dangers of exposure to DEHP?
Adverse effects of exposure to DEHP include changes to the reproductive organs leading to reduced fertility, respiratory distress and negative changes in kidney and liver functions according to animal studies. Whilst DEHP can affect everyone concerns are highest for Neonates due to the influence DEHP could have to on their underdeveloped organs.
What can be done to reduce exposure?
The goal should be to eliminate all products containing DEHP from the Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Intersurgical have developed a phthalate (DEHP) free range of nasal cannulae for neonates to achieve this goal.
What can be done about eliminating DEHP from NICU’s?
The availability of safer alternatives to PVC products means the prudent course of action for NICU’s could be to introduce DEHP/PVC-free products.
|
|
-
Durmaz E, Ozmert EN, Erkekoglu P, Giray B, Derman O, Hincal F, Yurdakok K.
Plasma phthalate levels in pubertal gynecomastia.
Pediatrics 2010; 125(1): e122-e129
Green R, Hauser R, Calafat AM, Weuve J, Schettler T, Ringer S, Huttner K, Hu H.
Use of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-containing medical products and urinary levels of mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in neonatal intensive care unit infants.
Environmental Health Perspectives 2005: 113(9): 1222-1225
Hill SS, Shaw BR, Wu AHB.
The clinical effects of plasticizers, antioxidants, and other contaminants in medical polyvinyl chloride tubing during respiratory and non-respiratory exposure.
Clinica Chimica Acta 2001; 304: 1-8
Hill SS, Shaw BR, Wu AHB.
Plasticizers, antioxidants, and other contaminants found in air delivered by PVC tubing used in respiratory therapy.
Biomedical Chromatography 2003; 17: 250-262
Hu GX, Lian QQ, Ge RS, Hardy DO, Li XK.
Phthalate-induced testicular dysgenesis syndrome: Leydig cell influence.
Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2009; 20(3): 139-145
Swan SH, Liu F, Hines M, Kruse RL, Wang C, Redmon JB, Sparks A, Weiss B.
Prenatal phthalate exposure and reduced masculine play in boys.
International Journal of Andrology 2009; 32: 1-9
|
