Microplastics and nanoplastics found in higher concentrations in preterm placentas

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Researchers have identified higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics in the placentae of infants born prematurely compared to those born at term, according to a study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting.

Microplastics, which are less than 5 mm in size, and nanoplastics, which are too small to be seen with the naked eye, are pervasive in the environment.

Previous research has shown that exposure to plastics can be harmful to both humans and the environment.

The new study suggests that these tiny plastic particles may accumulate in the placenta during pregnancy and could potentially play a role in preterm births.

In collaboration with investigators at the University of New Mexico, researchers analyzed 175 placentae—100 from full-term births and 75 from preterm births (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy). Using highly sensitive mass spectrometry, they detected significantly higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in the placentae of preterm infants.

“Advanced technology now enables us to accurately measure microplastics in ways we haven’t been able to in the past,” said senior study author Kjersti Aagaard, MD, PhD, MSCI, a maternal-fetal subspecialist and research professor at Boston Children’s Hospital and the HCA Institute. Aagaard also serves as the medical director of the Gulf Coast Division of HCA Healthcare.

One of the study’s key findings was that plastic accumulation was not simply a byproduct of a longer pregnancy. Instead, researchers observed that preterm placentae had greater concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics despite the shorter gestational period.

“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,” said lead author Enrico R. Barrozo, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

“In other words, a preterm delivery not only accumulated more microplastics and nanoplastics in its placenta relative to term, but did so at an earlier time point in the pregnancy,” added Aagaard. “This hints at the possibility that the accumulation of 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.”

The findings highlight the need for further research into the potential impact of plastic exposure on pregnancy and fetal development.

Reference

SMFM. New study finds high concentrations of plastics in the placentae of infants born prematurely. Eurekalert. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1071500