Microplastic exposure in daily life and the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension: A study on the association between environmental pollutants and maternal-fetal health outcomes

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a significant threat to maternal and fetal health. Current prevention and treatment strategies for PIH are limited due to inadequate understanding of its etiology and risk factors. This study investigates the link between maternal microplastic (MP) exposure and PIH incidence, using questionnaires, umbilical cord sampling, microplastic detection, and statistical analysis to assess the impact of lifestyle factors on PIH risk. We found higher concentrations of polyethylene (PE) and polycarbonate (PC) in the umbilical cords of PIH patients (*P < 0.05). Total MP levels were 1.46 times higher in the PIH cases. Factors like plastic tableware, seafood intake, and plastic-packaged beverages were potential risk factors, but not independent in multivariate analysis (P > 0.05). MP exposure correlated with plastic containers and takeout meals (*P < 0.05) and was associated with increased neonatal mortality and lower Apgar scores (*P < 0.05). These findings suggest that MPs could be a potential chemical marker for PIH risk. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of sample size and methodology. In conclusion, our preliminary study highlights the link between maternal MP exposure and PIH incidence. Future research should explore MP exposure and long-term health effects to improve pregnancy management and reduce PIH incidence.