Association of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Exposure from Blood Transfusions with Gut Microbiota Alterations in Premature Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the significance of early exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) on neonatal growth and long-term health, particularly the impact of DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), a common EDC found in polyvinyl chloride medical devices, on the gut microbiota development of preterm infants. The study subjects were preterm infants who had not received blood transfusions or antibiotic treatment for at least seven days between May 1, 2016, and March 30, 2021, and a prospective cohort study was conducted. Fecal samples were collected before and after transfusion for 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing analysis, and DEHP levels in blood products post-transfusion were measured.