Abstract
Polymeric materials play a key role in the production of medical and clinical devices thanks to their special features such as flexibility, easy processing and good price/performance ratio. Among the different polymeric matrixes, one of the most used is Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). At room temperature PVC is hard and brittle, thus great amounts (40- 50%) of phthalate esters that act as plasticizers are added to the polymer to make it flexible and appropriate for medical use. Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely used plasticizer in PVC medical devices. However, DEHP is not chemically bound to PVC and migrates from medical devices with time and use. The potential for DEHP to produce adverse effects in humans has been the subject of considerable discussion and debate in the scientific community. In particular, newborns in the new environment have to be considered at particularly increased risk, because of their small body size and the multiple medical device-related to the DEHP exposure. The major factors determining the degree to which DEHP migrates from medical devices are temperature, amount of DEHP in the device, storage time, shaking of the device while in contact with the medical solutions and degree of PVC degradation. The Aim of this review is to present an updated outline of recent ongoing research in the field of PVC degradation and consequent release of phthalates by highlighting their impact on human health, focusing on neonatal exposure.
Keywords: Medical devices, Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, polyvinyl chloride, newborns
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Materials Degradation in PVC Medical Devices, DEHP Leaching and Neonatal Outcomes
Volume: 17 Issue: 26
Author(s): G. Latini, M. Ferri and F. Chiellini
Affiliation:
Keywords: Medical devices, Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, polyvinyl chloride, newborns
Abstract: Polymeric materials play a key role in the production of medical and clinical devices thanks to their special features such as flexibility, easy processing and good price/performance ratio. Among the different polymeric matrixes, one of the most used is Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). At room temperature PVC is hard and brittle, thus great amounts (40- 50%) of phthalate esters that act as plasticizers are added to the polymer to make it flexible and appropriate for medical use. Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely used plasticizer in PVC medical devices. However, DEHP is not chemically bound to PVC and migrates from medical devices with time and use. The potential for DEHP to produce adverse effects in humans has been the subject of considerable discussion and debate in the scientific community. In particular, newborns in the new environment have to be considered at particularly increased risk, because of their small body size and the multiple medical device-related to the DEHP exposure. The major factors determining the degree to which DEHP migrates from medical devices are temperature, amount of DEHP in the device, storage time, shaking of the device while in contact with the medical solutions and degree of PVC degradation. The Aim of this review is to present an updated outline of recent ongoing research in the field of PVC degradation and consequent release of phthalates by highlighting their impact on human health, focusing on neonatal exposure.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Latini G., Ferri M. and Chiellini F., Materials Degradation in PVC Medical Devices, DEHP Leaching and Neonatal Outcomes, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 17 (26) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710792064992
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710792064992 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Natural Products Triggering Biological Targets- A Review of the Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals Targeting the Arachidonic Acid Pathway in Allergy Asthma and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Drug Targets Use of Artificial Cell Microcapsule Containing Thalidomide for Treating TNBS-induced Crohn's Disease in Mice
Current Drug Delivery Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> for Enhancing Physical Activity and Extending the Human Life Cycle
Current Medicinal Chemistry Free Radical Attack on Cholesterol: Oxysterols as Markers of Oxidative Stress and as Bioactive Molecules
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Synthesis of Phenol-derivatives and Biological Screening for Anticancer Activity
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Microbial Antigenic Pressure and Evolution of the Immune Response: Toward a Better Understanding of the Human Immune System in Health and Disease and Therapeutic Interventions
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Organic Synthesis of C-Prenylated Phenolic Compounds
Current Organic Chemistry Extracts and Flavonoids of <i>Passiflora</i> Species as Promising Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Substances
Current Pharmaceutical Design 5-Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Dammarane Triterpenoid 1 from Borassus flabellifer Seed Coat Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Secretion in LPSInduced THP-1 Human Monocytes and Induces Apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Unleashing the Potential of Microbial Natural Products in Drug Discovery: Focusing on <i>Streptomyces</i> as Antimicrobials Goldmine
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Current Medicinal Chemistry Phospho-Specific Antibodies: A Versatile Tool for Phosphoproteomic Studies
Current Proteomics The Application of Micro-Analytical Techniques to Biomedical Analysis
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Diagnostic Recognition of Escherichia <i>coli</i> Septicemia in <i>In Vivo</i> Vascular Blood
Medicinal Chemistry Inflammatory Markers Associated With Diabetes Mellitus – Old and New Players
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Challenge of Exploiting ABCG2 in the Clinic
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Current Status of Ethosomes and Elastic Liposomes in Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances on the Development of Pharmacotherapeutic Agents on the Basis of Human Serum Albumin
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vitamin D and the Metabolic Syndrome
Current Vascular Pharmacology A Brief Review of the Computational Identification of Antifreeze Protein
Current Organic Chemistry