High levels of serum perfluorinated compounds in children with endocrine autoimmune disease.

with thyroid function in relation to exposure to endocrine disruptors chemicals among which perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are considered a priority research issue.Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are widely diffused since used in the productions of polymers, additives, adhesives, cosmetics,insecticides and many other uses. PFCs are characterized by a high potential to bioaccumulate, by binding proteins, aspect that allows transmission of contaminationthrough food chains and retention in the body, once assumed.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of this study is to assess PFCs concentrations in children with autoimmune endocrine diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1DM) andthyroiditis (Tr).Methods: Sixtythreechildren were recruited and subdivided in the following three groups: A) twentyfivesubjects (6.11±3.33 yr.) with T1DM, B) nineteen subjects(6.57±2.69 yr.) with Tr, and C) nineteen healthy controls matched for age and gender. Blood samples to assay PFCs were collected and stored few day after T1DM or Trwere diagnosed. PFOS and PFOA have been extracted following an ionpairingextraction procedure and determined by HPLCESIMS.Nonparametric statistical analysiswas performed.Results: PFOS concentrations resulted significantly higher in both T1DM and Tr patients respect to controls (1.53±1.50 and 1.21±1.57 vs. 0.55±0.15 ng/ml, respectively;χ2 =8.12; KruskalWallistest=14.5; p=0.017) (Figure). No difference was found in PFOA levels.Conclusions: