Are phthlates precocious?

Article Outline

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As the ages of breast development and even menarche have decreased over the past five decades, one has postulated that environmental toxins (endocrine disrupting chemicals) may be responsible. One such class of compounds is the phthlates and their metabolites. In this issue of The Journal, Lomenick et al note with a proper control group that girls with precocious puberty do not have raised levels of any of the 9 measured metabolites. This article notes that phthalates are not the cause but neither proves nor disproves that endocrine disrupting chemicals are a cause of precocious puberty in children.