IVs save lives. This way, patients receive vital food, fluids or medication. But unfortunately, tiny plastic particles also end up in the patient’s body via the plastic bags and tubes, according to a study by researchers from Ghent University and Antwerp University Hospital.
In a first exploratory study, they simulated a setup with IVs used in premature babies weighing barely one kilogram. They collected the food in glass bottles for three days.
The analysis of 24 samples shows that the collected food contained 9 to 167 tiny plastic particles that are at least 25 micrometers in size. For comparison: a human hair is about 70 micrometers thick. Even smaller particles could not be measured in this study because the techniques for this are not yet available.
“Another study showed that as adults we inhale or swallow about 883 particles every day,” says Maaike Vercauteren, toxicologist at the Blue Growth research lab (UGent). “But there is still a barrier in between, in the lungs or the gastrointestinal tract. When administered intravenously, these particles immediately enter the bloodstream, including in children who are already very vulnerable.”
Little is known about the harmfulness of microplastics to the body. “But we do know that the particles are larger than the smallest diameter of the smallest blood vessels. They can therefore completely block capillaries, depriving some parts of the body of blood flow. They can also trigger inflammatory responses.”
This does not at all mean that infusions should no longer be used, says Koenraad Smets, head of neonatal intensive care (UZ Ghent). “It is an interesting scientific finding, but no reason to panic. We have been using these infusions for almost fifty years and have never noticed the clinical consequences described, such as blocked blood vessels. If there are any complications, they can always be attributed to the disease for which the newborn ended up in intensive care. The study may encourage manufacturers to make infusion catheters even safer.”
The study, which appeared in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, can be deduced that not all plastic particles come from the infusion. Some types of plastic found are not used in the manufacture of the infusion. “Some of it is probably in the diet, or came in during the preparation of the food,” says Vercauteren.
The infusions used contain filters that stop microplastics. Without these filters, up to twice as many particles would end up in the patient’s blood. But the filters apparently do not stop everything, or the particles are released after the filter.
“Some of the microplastics may come from the way the infusion is handled. This way they can be released when a pipe is bent,” says Vercauteren. “Further research must show how we can optimally use infusions. For example, by using them for less time or exposing them less to UV light.”
“No longer using the IVs is not an option, because they are life-saving. In addition, they create a sterile and hygienic environment that protects vulnerable patients from life-threatening infections.”
