Applications of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) in food, personal care products and industries pose risks on human health, particularly on vulnerable populations including pregnant women and infants. Fetus, deficient in mature defense system, is more susceptible to NPs. Publications on the developmental toxicity of TiO₂ NPs on the maternal-exposed progeny have emerged. This review presents the main exposure routes of TiO₂ NPs during pregnancy, including skin penetration, ingestion and inhalation, followed by transport of TiO₂ NPs to the placenta. Accumulation of TiO₂ NPs in placenta may cause dysfunction in nutrient transfer. TiO₂ NPs can be even transported to the fetus and generate toxicities, such as impairments of nervous and reproductive system, and failure in lung and cardiovascular development. The toxicities rely on the crystalline phase and concentrations, and the main mechanisms include the accumulation of excessive reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and over-activation of signaling pathways such as MAPK which impairs neurotransmission. Finally, this review remarks on the significance for identifying TiO₂ NPs dosage safe for both mother and fetus, and particular attention should be paid at TiO₂ NPs concentrations safe for mother but toxic to fetus. Importantly, research on the epigenetic trans-generational inheritance of TiO₂ NPs is urgently needed to provide insights for deciding the prospects of TiO₂ NPs applications.

TiO ₂纳米颗粒（NPs）在食品，个人护理产品和行业中的应用对人类健康构成威胁，特别是对包括孕妇和婴儿在内的弱势群体。缺乏成熟防御系统的胎儿更容易受到NP的感染。已经出现了关于TiO ₂ NPs对母体暴露的后代的发育毒性的出版物。这篇综述介绍了怀孕期间TiO ₂ NPs的主要暴露途径，包括皮肤渗透，食入和吸入，然后将TiO ₂ NPs转运到胎盘。胎盘中TiO ₂ NP的积累可能会导致营养物转运功能障碍。二氧化钛₂NP甚至可以转运至胎儿并产生毒性，例如神经和生殖系统受损，以及肺和心血管发育衰竭。毒性取决于结晶相和浓度，主要机制包括过量的活性氧的积累，DNA损伤以及信号通路（如MAPK）的过度激活，从而损害神经传递。最后，本篇评论指出了确定对母亲和胎儿均安全的TiO ₂ NPs剂量的重要性，应特别注意对母亲安全但对胎儿有毒的TiO ₂ NPs浓度。重要的是，TiO ₂的表观遗传跨代遗传研究迫切需要纳米颗粒以提供洞察力，以决定TiO ₂纳米颗粒的应用前景。