A baby's fetus immortalized during an ultrasound (illustration).

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Didier Pallages afp.com

Scientists are worried about the discovery of microplastics in the placenta of fetuses.

This is the first detection of these tiny particles in the body of future babies.

The effects of these particles remain unknown for the moment, however tempers the study published in the latest issue of the scientific journal

Environment International

.

"It's like having a cyborg baby"

However, researchers fear that the microparticles unearthed contain chemicals that could create long-term health problems.

They fear in particular disturbances of the immune system or the growth of affected fetuses.

The authors of the study cite "a major concern" due among other things to the role played by the placenta.

The latter "allows the development of the fetus and serves as an interface with the external environment", point out the specialists.

Italian obstetrician gynecologist Antonio Ragusa, the main researcher, used a striking image.

"It's like having a baby cyborg that is no longer formed only of human cells but of a mixture of biological and non-organic entities", he regrets, quoted by

The Guardian

.

Small enough to seep into blood vessels

To arrive at their conclusions, the researchers studied the placenta of six women who had a pregnancy and childbirth without any particular problem.

They detected the presence of microplastics in four of them, both in the fetal part of the placenta and in its maternal part.

The particles observed measured 10 microns, or 0.01 millimeters, and are therefore small enough to infiltrate the blood vessels.

Experts believe that these foreign bodies may have ended up in the baby's body but they could not prove it.

They also believe that the microplastics arrived in the placenta after being ingested or inhaled by the mother.

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  • Health

  • Baby

  • Pollution

  • Plastic

  • Pregnancy

  • Fetus