Silver nanoparticles in the fetal brain: new perspectives in understanding the pathogenesis of unexplained stillbirths

Lay abstract Despite the progress in medical diagnostics and antenatal care, one-half to two-thirds of stillbirths occur for unknown reasons. In this article we report the presence of toxic nanoparticles of silver and other metals in the brain of a baby who died unexpectedly at the end of a regular pregnancy. The presence of these particles may be attributed to the increasing use of nanomaterials in biomedicine, biotechnology and industries with environmental impacts. These substances can enter the fetal bloodstream from the pregnant mother's circulation via the placenta. From here, the nanoparticles can accumulate in specific regions of the fetal brain, causing developmental dysfunction. We conclude that it is important to expand the guidelines for investigating unexplained stillbirths by including the research of toxic nanosized pollutants in the fetal brain. We report, for the first time, the surprising presence of toxic nanoparticles, especially silver, in the brain of a fetus, who died unexpectedly at the end of a regular pregnancy. After an accurate autopsy, including the examination of the fetal annexes, an in-depth anatomopathological study of the nervous system and a search by scanning electron microscopy of nanoparticles in the brain, we highlighted the sequence of events that may have led to this fetal death, triggered primarily by the transition of nanosized xenobiotics from the mother to the fetal bloodstream. From this report emerges the importance of considering the search of nanosubstances in the brain during routine investigations following unexpected and unexplained fetal and infant deaths.

Automated summary

This article reports the unexpected presence of toxic nanoparticles, especially silver, in the brain of a fetus who died at the end of a regular pregnancy. The study highlights the importance of investigating nanosubstances in the brain during routine investigations following unexpected and unexplained fetal and infant deaths, potentially caused by nanomaterials used in various industries and medical fields.