STAT

Freeze-dried placenta pills likely caused this newborn’s dangerous bacterial infection

A case report describes a baby born in 2016 who suffered repeat strep infections — which were then traced back to the placenta pills taken by mother.
Dehydrated human placenta, ground to a powder, is put into pill capsules for new mothers to consume.

In a certain corner of the alternative health movement, fueled by celebrity buzz, it’s become en vogue for new mothers to consume their placentas after giving birth. Companies have sprouted up offering to turn placentas into smoothies, truffles, and freeze-dried pills, claiming that placental eating — practiced by many mammal species — can give recovering moms a boost of vitamins and nutrients, and help prevent

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About An Amgen Obesity Drug, A Senate Bill On Shortages, And More
Amgen will no longer develop an early-stage obesity pill, and will instead focus on a more advanced injectable candidate to compete with Wegovy and Zepbound.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Brain Biopsies On ‘Vulnerable’ Patients At Mount Sinai Set Off Alarm Bells At FDA, Documents Show
A STAT Investigation: Brain biopsies on "vulnerable" patients at Mount Sinai set off alarm bells at FDA, documents show.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About A Boy Dying In Pfizer Trial; AstraZeneca Yanking Covid Shot, And More
A young boy died in a clinical trial for an experimental Pfizer gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, about a year after receiving the therapy.

Related Books & Audiobooks