Abstract

Microplastics (MP, size < 5 mm) are plastic particles that are currently found in water, soil, air, and the food chain. The presence of microplastics in bottled drinking water, food, and the environment has become a potential source of increased chronic exposure in humans through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact pathways. Pregnant women represent a vulnerable group at risk of microplastic exposure due to increased water and food consumption during pregnancy. However, scientific evidence regarding the impact of microplastic exposure on maternal and fetal health is still scattered across various research designs and diverse methods, necessitating an in-depth synthesis of the evidence. This study aims to analyze microplastic exposure in pregnant women and its subsequent impact on maternal and fetal health from an environmental health perspective using a systematic literature review approach. A systematic literature search was conducted through ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SpringerLink databases using the keywords microplastic, pregnant women, human, placenta, and reproductive health. Articles published between January 2021 and June 2026, available in full text, and discussing microplastic exposure in pregnant women were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selection process utilized the PRISMA flow diagram through four stages: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion, resulting in nine relevant articles for analysis. The search results indicated that MPs were detected in the placenta, amniotic fluid, meconium, and breast milk, with the most common polymer types being polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), and polyamide (PA). Research also demonstrates that microplastic exposure can disrupt endocrine function, trigger inflammation, cause tissue dysfunction, disturb fetal growth, and lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). These findings confirm that microplastic pollution in the environment has become an issue that can affect human reproductive health starting from the gestation period, thereby necessitating preventive efforts and larger cohort studies to comprehensively understand the impact of microplastic exposure on fetuses and pregnant women.