Synopsis
A recent study reveals alarming levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in the placentae of premature infants, suggesting potential health risks associated with plastic exposure during pregnancy.Key Takeaways
- Significant microplastic and nanoplastic presence in preterm placentas.
- Higher concentrations than previously found in human blood.
- Potential link between plastic exposure and preterm birth risks.
- Study involved analysis of 175 placentas.
- Findings presented at SMFM annual meeting.
New Delhi, Jan 31 (NationPress) In a startling discovery, a group of researchers in the United States has identified a significant presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the placentae of infants born ahead of schedule.
Microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are measured in billionths of a meter, are not visible to the naked eye and are prevalent in our surroundings.
Earlier studies have indicated that plastic exposure is detrimental to both the environment and human health.
The research team, which included experts from the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and the University of New Mexico, discovered that the concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics were notably higher in preterm placentas.
These levels were also significantly greater than those previously recorded in human blood, suggesting that plastics are likely accumulating in the placenta during pregnancy, particularly in cases of preterm birth.
“The observation of elevated placental concentrations in preterm births was unexpected, as it contradicted initial assumptions about it being merely a result of shorter pregnancy duration,” stated lead author Enrico R. Barrozo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
The researchers noted that infants born prematurely had higher quantities of microplastics and nanoplastics in their placentas compared to those born at term. “This raises the possibility that plastic accumulation might be linked to the risk and incidence of preterm birth,” they mentioned in the abstract published in the journal Pregnancy.
The study employed advanced mass spectrometry to analyze 175 placentas, comparing them with 100 term placentas and 75 preterm placentas (less than 37 weeks of gestation).
This research contributes to the increasing body of evidence regarding the negative impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics, which range from heart disease to a potential increase in stroke risk.
It highlights a tangible threat of plastic exposure on human health and diseases, according to the research team. The findings will be presented at the ongoing Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM) annual meeting in Colorado, US.
