Trimester-specific exposure to triclocarban during pregnancy: Associations with oxidative stress and size at birth

Triclocarban (TCC) is an extensively used antimicrobial agent that exhibits endocrine disrupt potential, but its effects on fetal growth remain largely unknown. Herein, we measured TCC, its four hydroxylated metabolites and two dechlorination products, as well as the oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in maternal urine samples collected across three trimesters of pregnancy in Wuhan, China. Linear mixed-effect models and multiple linear regression models were applied for correlation analysis. TCC was detected in >97 % of urine samples after conjugate hydrolysis (geometric mean: 0.249–0.335 ng/mL). An interquartile range increase in TCC was associated with a 6.65 % increase in 8-OHdG (95 % confidence interval: 2.15–11.16 %). Urinary TCC in the first trimester was inversely associated with body weight in infant girls, with significant p-value for trend (p_trend = 0.011) across tertiles of TCC concentrations. Urinary 8-OHdG in the third trimester was associated with reduced ponderal index in infant boys (p_trend = 0.020). Urinary levels of TCC correlated well with its transformation products (2′-OH-TCC, 3′-OH-TCC, 6-OH-TCC, 4′-DHC, and DCC). No clear association was found between these metabolites and 8-OHdG, as well as size at birth. Our results revealed the potential exposure risks of TCC during the early life stage, future replications in other populations are needed.