In a concerning health warning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently advised new mothers against ingesting their placenta in capsule form. This recommendation follows a case where a previously healthy baby contracted Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteremia, a severe blood infection, not just once but twice after the mother took placenta pills.
The trend of consuming placenta post-birth has become increasingly popular, largely fueled by endorsements from parenting blogs and celebrities who believe it offers various benefits such as alleviating postpartum depression, boosting milk production, and enhancing energy levels. However, substantial scientific evidence supporting these claims is lacking. The Mayo Clinic states that while some research hints at potential benefits for postpartum women, these studies often lack rigor, relying on anecdotal evidence or poorly designed methodologies. Currently, no credible human studies confirm the advantages of placentophagy.
In the CDC’s documented case, the infant was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and treated with antibiotics for 11 days. After being discharged, the baby contracted the infection again while breastfeeding, as the mother continued to consume the dehydrated placenta capsules. According to the CDC, three days postpartum, the mother began taking two capsules three times a day, unaware that the pills contained high levels of GBS. Upon discovering this, the CDC recommended she cease consumption of the capsules. After discontinuation, the infant received another round of antibiotics and made a full recovery.
One significant risk highlighted by the CDC is the absence of standardized procedures for processing placenta for consumption. They emphasize that the encapsulation process does not guarantee the elimination of infectious pathogens, thus mothers are advised to avoid placenta capsule ingestion. GBS, while commonly found in adults without causing harm, can pose serious risks to newborns with undeveloped immune systems.
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In summary, the CDC strongly advises against the consumption of placenta pills due to potential health risks, highlighted by a case involving a newborn contracting a serious infection. The lack of scientific backing for the purported benefits of placentophagy further underscores this caution.