‘Pollution’ is found in placentas of mums-to-be
SOOT particles have been discovered in the placentas of pregnant women for the first time, leading scientists to warn that pollution may directly harm unborn babies.
Researchers discovered small black areas in the organ that surrounds the foetus in five mothers-to-be who were living in London.
Until now there was only limited evidence that inhaled pollution particles can access the bloodstream via the lungs.
But the discovery of carbon particles in an organ so crucial for pregnancy helps explain data suggesting that women living in polluted areas are more prone to premature birth and having low-birthweight babies.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London worked with five pregnant women living in the English capital due to have planned caesarean section deliveries at the Royal London Hospital.
They studied 3,500 macrophages, immune system cells that engulf harmful particles, finding 60 cells that between them contained 72 small black areas, which they believe indicate carbon particles. On average, each placenta contained around five square micrometres of this black substance.
“We’ve known for a while that air pollution affects foetal development and can continue to affect babies after birth and throughout their lives,” said Dr Lisa Miyashita, who led the study. “We were interested to see if these effects could be due to pollution particles moving from the mother’s lungs to the placenta.”
The placenta is an organ attached to the lining of the womb during pregnancy that links the mother to the unborn baby but keeps the baby’s blood supply separate from the mother’s.
Oxygen and nutrients pass from the mother’s blood supply into the placenta through the umbilical cord to the foetus, and takes away waste products.