Over the past several decades the industry involving nanotechnology has developed at a rapid pace, increasing global human exposure to synthesized nanoparticles (NPs). A consensus within toxicology on the effect of synthesized NPs to human health has yet to be reached, and little is known about the NPs developmental toxicology to organisms exposed in utero. This review aimed to identify the current state of in vivo prenatal NP toxicology literature and to provide an overview of several influential factors on offspring exposure and health outcomes. Scientific peer-reviewed literature was identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar database searches using combinations of keywords relevant to prenatal NP exposure. The 220 articles yielded from the database search were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 37 articles were included in the final analysis. Across selected literature, eight NP materials and eight exposure routes were identified. Pregnant murine dams were exposed to NPs throughout the entire gestational period, and some studies expanded exposure durations into preconception or postnatal periods. The average particle size across all exposure routes was 27.03 nm, although aerosolized agglomerates and cellular uptake where not accounted for. Thirty-five studies reported significant adverse effects on offspring after birth, where abnormalities of the nervous system were most commonly reported. Although current literature suggests a biological plausibility for prenatal NP toxicity, the lack of standardized methodology and diverse endpoints contribute to the continued ambiguity as to the attributable risks of individual exposure factors on health outcomes and mechanisms of cellular toxicity.
Keywords: Developmental toxicology; Engineered nanomaterial; Nanoparticle; Nanotoxicology; Prenatal exposure.
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