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Placental plastics in young women from general population correlate with reduced foetal growth in IUGR pregnancies
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Researchers analyzed placenta samples from 43 women and found plastic particles present, then examined whether their presence correlated with birth outcomes. They found a significant association between higher concentrations of placental plastics and reduced fetal growth in pregnancies affected by intrauterine growth restriction. The study provides early evidence suggesting that plastic particle accumulation in the placenta may be linked to impaired fetal development.
Constant exposure to plastics particulates has raised concerns against human health, particularly when it comes to birth outcomes. The present study explores the first appraisal of plastic particles in fresh human placenta and its association with foetal growth in neonates. Specifically, 43 pregnant women from general population were selected and their placentas were analyzed by digital microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy for microplastics (MPs <5 mm). We used regression analysis to estimate associations between MPs count in placenta and neonatal anthropometric measurements. MPs were found in all (13 out of 13) intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies and their average abundance ranged from 2 to 38 particles per placenta, but were less than limit of detection (LOD) in normal pregnancies except three out of 30 subjects. This study is one of very few that detected MPs in human placenta in which particles <10 μm were the most abundant in both IUGR and normal pregnancies, accounting for up to 64%. Fragments clearly prevailed at normal pregnancies and fragments together with fibers predominated at IUGR placentas. Despite four different polymers forming the MPs being identified, the majority of MPs comprised of PE (polyethylene) and PS (polystyrene). Inverse associations between MPs exposure and birth outcomes were observed in terms of birth weight (r = - 0.82, p < 0.001), length (r = - 0.56, p < 0.001), head circumference (r = - 0.50, p = 0.001), and 1-min Apgar score (r = - 0.75, p < 0.001) among those with IUGR, compared to those that were nominated as normal pregnancies. While it seems plastic particles may affect placental-foetal interrelationship, the pattern of associations between their content in placenta and birth outcomes, however, shows evidence of a nonlinear or nonmonotonic dose response possibly through perturbation of gas and nutrients exchange which is worth future investigation.
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This review summarizes existing research on microplastics found in the placenta and other pregnancy-related tissues. Experimental studies suggest microplastics may cause oxidative stress, inflammation and placental injury linked to restricted fetal growth, but the authors note more research is needed to confirm these effects in clinical settings.
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A systematic review of 12 studies confirmed the presence of microplastics ranging from 2.1 to 100 micrometers in human placentas and fetal tissue. Microplastic levels correlated with reduced birthweight, affected gestational age, diminished microbiome diversity, and impaired fetal growth and development, with lifestyle choices influencing placental microplastic burden.
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles found in pregnant women's blood and placenta, and how they might disrupt fat processing in the placenta. Studies in animals and lab-grown cells link plastic exposure to changes that could affect fetal growth, but the review states that proof of this happening in humans is still lacking.
Microplastics in the umbilical vein of fetal growth restricted and healthy fetuses: A preliminary Turkish selected case series.
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