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Climate change, endocrine disruptors and child health: The hidden paediatric emergency
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This review paper summarizes existing research on how climate change and hormone-disrupting chemicals (found in plastics, pesticides and other sources) may together affect children's health. It describes how heat, floods and wildfires may increase chemical exposure, and discusses links between these chemicals and problems like thyroid issues and developmental changes, with focus on low- and middle-income countries.
Climate change and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) represent two converging global threats with profound implications for child health. Climate-driven environmental alterations – including rising temperatures, floods, wildfires, droughts and air pollution – are increasingly recognised as amplifiers of EDC exposure pathways. Children are uniquely vulnerable because of critical developmental windows during foetal life, infancy and puberty. Exposure to EDCs such as bisphenol A, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pesticides, dioxins and heavy metals has been associated with metabolic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, altered pubertal timing, reproductive abnormalities, neurodevelopmental disorders and epigenetic changes. Climate change acts as a “threat multiplier” by increasing chemical mobilisation, plastic degradation, food-chain contamination and toxic air pollutant release. This review summarises current evidence regarding the interaction between climate change and endocrine disruption in children, highlights clinical implications for paediatric practice, discusses public health and policy considerations and identifies future research priorities relevant to low- and middle-income countries, particularly India.
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From Placenta to Puberty: Micro plastics and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Across the Pediatric Life Course
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This review pulls together existing research on how kids are exposed to microplastics and plastic chemicals, starting before birth and continuing through childhood. The strongest evidence links plastic-related chemicals (not the plastic particles themselves) to issues like altered growth, thyroid problems and reproductive effects, though more research is needed to confirm direct causes. Simple steps to reduce exposure, paired with better regulation, could help protect children's long-term health.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on child development: mechanisms, vulnerability windows, and health consequences
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This review pulls together existing research on "endocrine disruptors", chemicals found in everyday products (including micro- and nanoplastics) that can interfere with hormones, and how they affect children, who are especially vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still rapidly developing. The research suggests these chemicals may disrupt growth, brain development, and puberty, and some effects might even be passed down to future generations, though more studies are still needed to fully confirm this. The takeaway: since these chemicals are nearly impossible to completely avoid, understanding and reducing exposure during pregnancy and childhood could matter for long-term health.
Editorial: Emerging contaminants in children: exposure, sources, and health effects
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This editorial review examines emerging contaminants in children, including microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and other synthetic chemicals, focusing on exposure pathways, sources, and health effects during critical developmental windows. The authors highlight that children face heightened vulnerability to these pollutants due to developmental stage-specific susceptibilities affecting immune function, endocrine signaling, and neurological development.
The effects of microplastics exposure on the growth and development of children
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Microplastics disrupt children's health through multiple pathways including endocrine system interference, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and potential transgenerational effects, with growing evidence that developmental exposures carry outsized risks during critical growth periods. This review synthesizes toxicology and pediatric research to call for targeted regulatory action to reduce children's exposure to microplastics from food, water, and air.
Environmental determinants of child health: present challenges and future outlook
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Kids are especially vulnerable to environmental hazards like air pollution, chemicals, and even emerging threats like microplastics and nanoplastics, because their bodies are still developing and can't process toxins as well as adults. This review pulls together existing research showing these exposures are linked to childhood asthma, breathing infections, brain development issues, and metabolic problems—with children in lower-income communities facing the greatest risk. The takeaway: protecting kids' health requires stronger policies and cleanup efforts now, since early-life exposures can have lasting effects.
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