THE EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTICS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND PREGNANCY

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 112 - 129, 25.04.2025

Durmuş Burak Demirkaya , Neslihan Özdemir , Serap Yalcin

Abstract

Microplastics are one of the most common sources of environmental pollution. Microplastics are synthetic particles smaller than 5 mm and can enter the human body through many means, from seafood to water sources and even the air. The effects of microplastics, which enter the body through inhalation, oral ingestion and skin contact, on human health are a growing concern. The accumulation of microplastics in the digestive and respiratory systems can lead to disruptions in the intestinal microbiota, inflammation and weakening of the immune response. The presence of microplastics, especially in critical barriers between the mother and the fetus, such as the placenta and amniotic fluid, draws attention with their negative effects on fetal development and birth outcomes. Studies have shown that babies exposed to microplastics exhibit negative outcomes such as low birth weight, short birth length and low Apgar scores. This study discusses the potential effects of microplastics on human health, their effects on the immune system and their dangers, especially during pregnancy.

Keywords

fetal development , immune system , Microplastics , cytotoxicity

MİKROPLASTİKLERİN İMMÜN SİSTEM ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ VE GEBELİK

Abstract

Mikroplastikler, çevresel kirliliğin en yaygın kaynaklarından biridir. Mikroplastikler, 5 mm’den daha küçük sentetik parçacıklar olup, deniz ürünlerinden su kaynaklarına, hatta havaya kadar pek çok yolla insan vücuduna girebilir. Solunum, oral alım ve cilt teması yoluyla vücuda giren mikroplastiklerin insan sağlığı üzerindeki etkileri artan bir endişe kaynağıdır. Mikroplastiklerin sindirim ve solunum sistemlerinde birikimi, bağırsak mikrobiyotasında bozulmalara, inflamasyona ve immün yanıtın zayıflamasına yol açabilir. Özellikle plasenta ve amniyotik sıvı gibi anne ve fetüs arasındaki kritik bariyerlerde mikroplastiklerin bulunması, fetal gelişim ve doğum sonuçları üzerindeki olumsuz etkileriyle dikkat çekmektedir. Yapılan çalışmalar, mikroplastiklere maruz kalan bebeklerin düşük doğum ağırlığı, kısa doğum uzunluğu ve düşük Apgar skorları gibi olumsuz sonuçlar gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Bu çalışmada, mikroplastiklerin insan sağlığı üzerindeki potansiyel etkileri, bağışıklık sistemine olan etkileri ve özellikle gebelik dönemindeki tehlikeleri ele alınmaktadır.

Keywords

fetal gelişim , immun sistem , Mikroplastik , sitotoksisite

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