Microplastics in the umbilical vein of fetal growth restricted and healthy fetuses: A preliminary Turkish selected case series.

Objective: Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, yet their potential association with fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains unclear. This observational, analytical case-control study aimed to evaluate the presence and size characteristics of microplastics in umbilical venous blood samples from fetuses with FGR, compared with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Fourteen pregnant women with singleton pregnancies, aged 20-36 years, who delivered between 36+0 and 39+6 weeks' gestation were included. Pregnancies were classified as FGR (n=8) or healthy controls (n=6). Maternal and neonatal characteristics, including birth weight, Apgar scores, delivery mode, ultrasound and Doppler findings, and neonatal intensive care unit admission, were recorded. Umbilical vein blood samples collected at delivery were analyzed for the presence and particle size of microplastics using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Results: Microplastics were detected in 83.3% of control cases and 50% of FGR cases, with no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.198). Mean microplastic particle size was larger in the FGR group than in controls (54.41±20.15 μm vs. 36.28±16.33 μm), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.133). Birth weight was significantly lower in the FGR group (p=0.003). Conclusion: Microplastics were detected in umbilical vein blood samples of both FGR and healthy fetuses. No significant association between the presence of microplastics and FGR was observed; however, further studies with larger sample sizes are required.