Fig. 1

Comparison of liver enzyme levels between the four exposure-level (low or high) groups during each exposure period. LL: low concentrations of phthalate metabolites at the ages of 3–5 years and 7–9 years. HL: high concentrations of phthalate metabolites at the age of 3–5 years, but low concentrations at 7–9 years. LH: low concentrations of phthalate metabolites at the age of 3–5 years, but high concentrations at 7–9 years. HH: high concentrations of phthalate metabolites at the ages of 3–5 years and 7–9 years. MECPP [mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate], MEP (monoethyl phthalate), MiBP (monoisobutyl phthalate), MnBP (mono-n-butyl phthalate), ∑DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) = MiBP and MnBP. AST; aspartate aminotransferase, ALT; alanine aminotransferase, γ-GTP; gamma-glutamyl transferase. ^* p < 0.05, ^** p < 0.01. Adjusted for age, sex, BMI, mother’s education level, monthly household income at 3–5 years of age, second-hand smoke exposure, and physical inactivity level at 10–15 years of age