Common plastic fragments in placentas associated with premature births
Common plastic fragments in placentas associated with premature births
A new study is the latest in a long list showing plastic pollution may be linked to serious health problems
Higher concentrations of tiny plastic fragments have been found in the placentas of preterm babies( fewer than 37 weeks) compared to those of their full-term peers( 40 weeks), suggesting they pose an increased risk resulting in preterm births.
Premature births can lead to several health risks, including feeding problems and trouble breathing. It’ s also the leading cause of death among children under five, according to the World Health Organization( WHO).
Taking the form of debris of different sizes that can’ t be seen with the naked eye, microplastics( MP) and nanoplastics( NP) break down from plastic objects and have been found in almost every corner of the world, from Antarctic Sea ice to the highest mountains, as well as in the air, drinking water, and animal tissue. It’ s no surprise then they have also been found in human blood, breast milk, and placenta.
Though there are still uncertainties about their health impact, previous research has highlighted several potential dangers, including increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Past lab research has also shown that the amount of microplastics usually ingested by people while eating contaminated food can damage human cells or kill them.
In the new study, US researchers examined 100 placenta samples from full-term births and 75 samples from preterm births, with the latter having more than 50 percent higher MP and NP concentrations.
“ The finding of higher placental concentrations among preterm births was surprising because it was counterintuitive to what you might expect if it was merely a byproduct of the length of time of the pregnancy,” study’ s lead author Dr Enrico R. Barrozo, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’ s Hospital in Houston, said in a press release.
Senior study author Dr Kjersti Aagaard, a maternalfetal subspecialist and research professor at Boston Children’ s Hospital and the HCA Institute, added that preterm placentas not only had higher MP and NP but also accumulated them earlier during pregnancy than full-term ones.“ This hints at the possibility that the accumulation plastics could be contributing to the risk and occurrence of preterm birth. When combined with other recent research, this study adds to the growing body of evidence, ranging from heart disease to potentially stroke, that demonstrates a real risk of exposure to plastics on human health and disease,” she said in the press release.
Like previous research, the new study only points to an association between the tiny plastics and preterm birth but doesn’ t imply the former causes the latter. Further research in lab cells and animals is needed to establish a stronger link.
“ This study showed an association and not causation,” Dr Barrozo told the Guardian.“ But I think it is important to increase people’ s awareness of microplastics and their associations with potential human health effects.”
Premature births can lead to several health risks, including feeding problems and trouble breathing.
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific. com ISSUE 1 | 2025
43