Time-varying associations of gestational and childhood triclosan with pubertal and adrenarchal outcomes in early adolescence

Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, but associations with pubertal outcomes remain unclear. We examined associations of gestational and childhood triclosan with adolescent hormone concentrations and pubertal stage. We quantified urinary triclosan concentrations twice during pregnancy and seven times between birth and 12 years in participants recruited from Cincinnati, OH (2003–2006). We averaged concentrations across pregnancy and childhood and separately considered individual exposure periods in multiple informant models. At 12 years, we measured serum hormone concentrations (males [n = 72] and females [n = 84]—dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone; males—testosterone; females—estradiol). Also at age 12 years, participants self-reported physical development and menarchal timing. We estimated associations (95% confidence interval) of triclosan with hormone concentrations, more advanced physical development, and age at menarche. For females, each doubling of childhood triclosan was associated with 16% lower estradiol concentrations (−29%, 0%), with stronger associations for measures closer to adolescence. We found suggestive evidence that higher triclosan at any age was associated with ~10% (for gestational triclosan: −18%, −2%) lower follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations among males and early postnatal (1–3 years) triclosan was associated with 63% (5%, 96%) lower odds of advanced pubic hair development in females. In multiple informant models, each doubling of gestational triclosan concentrations was associated with 5% (0%, 9%) earlier age at menarche, equivalent to 5.5 months. Gestational and childhood triclosan concentrations were related to some pubertal outcomes including hormone concentrations and age at menarche. Our findings highlight the relevance of elucidating potential sex-specific and time-dependent actions of triclosan.