PLANET Study on the Impact of Plastics and Toxins on Intestinal Inflammation in Pregnant People With and Without Crohns Disease

What this Trial Is About

The PLANET Study investigates the impact of microplastics on intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome to better understand their role in increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease IBD, including Crohns disease CD. This research aims to clarify how environmental pollutants contribute to IBD and to develop new strategies for prevention. The study focuses on pregnant individuals, given the risk maternal IBD poses to offspring, and examines microplastics in stool samples alongside changes in the microbiome and inflammation markers. Participants include pregnant people with Crohns disease and a control group of pregnant people without Crohns or other inflammatory bowel diseases. Both groups enroll with the infant they are carrying. The study observes differences in microplastics quantity, microbiome diversity, and fecal calprotectin levels between these groups. Researchers collect stool samples and other data over one year to explore these relationships. Participants will provide stool samples and answer questionnaires in English during the study. Researchers will measure microplastics in stool samples and analyze microbiome diversity and calprotectin as markers of intestinal inflammation. The study monitors participants and their infants for one year to assess environmental toxin exposure and related intestinal changes. This observational study does not involve treatment and lasts about one year per participant.

Pregnant Women With and Without Crohns Disease to Explore the Role of Plastics and Toxins in Intestinal Inflammation