Developmental Impacts of MicroPLastics Exposure in Early Life
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Summary
The goal of this observational study is to characterize and evaluate micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) exposures among mothers and infants in mother-infant dyads 1 or 3 months postpartum living in Baltimore, Maryland. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What MNPs are present in breastmilk and maternal blood samples and in their infants stool sample? * Are there associations between amount of maternal MNPs in breast milk and mass of MNP particles in infant stool? * Which environmental and lifestyle factors are most predictive of maternal MNP burden? * Is infant exposure to MNPs associated with birth weight and postnatal growth trajectories? Participants will: * Complete several questionnaires assessing medical histories, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, eating behaviors, etc. * Provide biological specimens including: maternal blood, stool, and breastmilk; infant stool * Clinical visit to have anthropometric measures documented including maternal height and weight, infant weight, length, and skin-fold thickness
Description
The proposed pilot study will establish a new cohort of healthy, lactating women from Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland. By recruiting women from these two regions, the investigators will be able to ensure that the pilot study covers a diverse geographical range with varying levels of air pollution exposure and social determinants of health (SDoH). Study participants will be 1 or 3 months postpartum (+/- 2 weeks) and report exclusive breastfeeding. The investigators will also biobank maternal stool samples for future funding applications that will additionally examine the gut micro…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * All gender expressions * Mothers at 1 or 3 months postpartum (± 2 weeks) * Intent to exclusively breastfeed for ≥ 6 months * Nulliparous and singleton births * Receiving only breast milk from the mother, with no formula supplementation Exclusion Criteria: * Physical, mental, or cognitive disability that prevents participation; current incarceration * Chronic conditions in mother and/or infant (e.g., heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes, intestinal bowel syndrome/disease), conditions diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (e.g. gestational diabetes…
Interventions
- OtherObservational only
Exposure to micro and nano plastics
Location
- East Baltimore Pediatric Inpatient and Outpatient Clinical Research UnitBaltimore, Maryland