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Exposure to Microplastics in Biological Matrices and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review.

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Title: Exposure to Microplastics in Biological Matrices and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review.
Authors: Comisi, Francesco Fabrizio1 (AUTHOR), Comisi, Andrea Maria2 (AUTHOR), Esposito, Elena1 (AUTHOR) elena.esposito30@gmail.com, Fanos, Vassilios1,2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Nanomaterials (2079-4991). May2026, Vol. 16 Issue 10, p618. 19p.
Subjects: Microplastics, Neural development, Evidence synthesis, School children, Behavior disorders, Environmental exposure, Cognitive ability, Epidemiology
Abstract: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in numerous human tissues, yet epidemiological evidence on MNPs exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children has not been systematically evaluated. We aimed to systematically identify, appraise, and synthesize observational evidence on this association in children aged 0–18 years. Six databases were searched on 19 February 2026 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420261328979). Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Three studies met the inclusion criteria (all published in 2025, China; n = 30–5670; two studies with probable population overlap), addressing behavioral, cognitive, and neurological outcome domains, encompassing 56 associations across 14 outcomes. Each study showed a uniform direction of association (higher MP exposure was associated with poorer outcomes); however, probable population overlap between Dong and Zheng precludes interpretation of this pattern as independent cross-study replication. All outcomes were rated Very Low certainty under GRADE; meta-analysis was not performed. Although experimental evidence supports biological plausibility, no causal inferences can be drawn in the absence of independent replication, and the field remains at the stage of hypothesis generation. Future studies should prioritize prospective longitudinal designs, spectroscopic exposure confirmation, and standardized neurodevelopmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Exposure to Microplastics in Biological Matrices and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microplastics%22">Microplastics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neural+development%22">Neural development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evidence+synthesis%22">Evidence synthesis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+children%22">School children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior+disorders%22">Behavior disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+exposure%22">Environmental exposure</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+ability%22">Cognitive ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Epidemiology%22">Epidemiology</searchLink>
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  Data: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in numerous human tissues, yet epidemiological evidence on MNPs exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children has not been systematically evaluated. We aimed to systematically identify, appraise, and synthesize observational evidence on this association in children aged 0–18 years. Six databases were searched on 19 February 2026 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420261328979). Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Three studies met the inclusion criteria (all published in 2025, China; n = 30–5670; two studies with probable population overlap), addressing behavioral, cognitive, and neurological outcome domains, encompassing 56 associations across 14 outcomes. Each study showed a uniform direction of association (higher MP exposure was associated with poorer outcomes); however, probable population overlap between Dong and Zheng precludes interpretation of this pattern as independent cross-study replication. All outcomes were rated Very Low certainty under GRADE; meta-analysis was not performed. Although experimental evidence supports biological plausibility, no causal inferences can be drawn in the absence of independent replication, and the field remains at the stage of hypothesis generation. Future studies should prioritize prospective longitudinal designs, spectroscopic exposure confirmation, and standardized neurodevelopmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/nano16100618
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 618
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      – SubjectFull: Microplastics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neural development
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      – SubjectFull: Evidence synthesis
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      – SubjectFull: School children
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      – SubjectFull: Behavior disorders
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      – SubjectFull: Environmental exposure
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive ability
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      – SubjectFull: Epidemiology
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exposure to Microplastics in Biological Matrices and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review.
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            NameFull: Comisi, Francesco Fabrizio
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            NameFull: Comisi, Andrea Maria
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            NameFull: Esposito, Elena
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              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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