EU-funded researchers have discovered that children who are often hospitalised in intensive care units are more like to develop attention deficit disorders when they are older.
The study, conducted by the NUTRI-CARE project, believes that the reason behind this is due to a high level of plastic-softening chemicals called phthalates circulating in the blood. The project researchers suggest that these chemicals, which are added to indwelling medical devices (such as plastic tubes and catheters) are able to seep into the child’s bloodstream.
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