Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation exposes infants to the plasticizer, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

Abstract

DEHP leaches from ECMO circuits, with potential exposure concentrations related to the surface area of the tubing in the ECMO circuit. Heparin bonding of the tubing eliminates this risk. Although significant concentrations of DEHP leach from the nonheparin-bonded circuits over time, our in vivo studies showed that the DEHP plasma concentrations were less than the previously reported values and do not correlate with any observable short-term toxicity. This compound may be either efficiently metabolized by the newborn, or redistributed into various tissues. Although signs of toxicity were not found in this study, long-term complications from chronic exposure to DEHP have not been determined.