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Microplastics and the Placenta: A Call to Action for Perinatal Research
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This commentary reviewed evidence that microplastics have been detected in human placental and neural tissues and discussed their potential effects on fetal development, including systemic inflammation, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption. The authors called for multidisciplinary perinatal research to understand and mitigate microplastic exposure during pregnancy.
Microplastics have been detected in human placental and neural tissues, raising urgent concerns about their potential effects on maternal and fetal health. Emerging evidence links microplastics to systemic inflammation, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption, yet their impact on pregnancy outcomes and fetal development remains poorly understood. Given the placenta's central role in early-life health, perinatal researchers are uniquely positioned to lead investigations into this environmental threat. We call for collaborative, multidisciplinary research to better understand and mitigate the effects of microplastic exposure during pregnancy. · Microplastics can cross the placenta and blood-brain barrier, reaching fetal tissues.. · Microplastics trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption in human cells.. · Perinatal research should explore links between microplastics and fetal development risks..
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in the Perinatal Period: Emerging Evidence on Maternal Exposure, Placental Transfer, and Fetal Health Outcomes
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This review summarizes emerging evidence that microplastics can cross the placenta and reach developing babies, having been detected in maternal blood, placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and breast milk. The tiny plastic particles may damage the placenta, disrupt hormones, alter immune responses, and potentially affect fetal growth and brain development. While more research is needed, the findings raise serious concerns about microplastic exposure during pregnancy and its implications for infant health.
Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review
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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.
Editorial: Maternal-fetal interface: new insight in placenta research, volume II
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This editorial compiles research showing that microplastics have been detected in human placental tissue and induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances in placental explants. The collection of studies underscores that environmental contaminants including microplastics represent a significant and urgent threat to placental function and fetal development.
Assessing microplastics as a novel threat to maternal-fetal health: Placental barrier penetration and fetal developmental consequences
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This review addressed how microplastics cross the placental barrier and affect fetal development, covering cellular responses in placental tissue, animal model findings, and limited human study data. The authors concluded that transplacental microplastic transfer is a plausible mechanism for intergenerational health effects.
Microplastics in pregnancy: placental transfer, maternal exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a literature review
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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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.