Association between noise exposure and mild hypertension in pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Noise exposure in an urban environment has become an integral part of our lives in recent decades. The population of pregnant women is one of the most vulnerable populations to the health impact of environmental damage to both the mother and the fetus. Study goal: To examine the association between traffic-related noise exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy. Methods: In this prospective study 240 women with singleton low risk pregnancies, were recruited during routine follow up prenatal visits at Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MCHC), or outpatient clinic of hospital. Women were interviewed about their socio-demographic, medical and obstetric background. Assessment of home noise exposure was performed using a previously validated self-reported score of 0 to 10. Noise score above 5 (median) was defined as "high noise exposure". Borderline hypertension during pregnancy was defined as systolic pressure >120 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure >80 mmHg. Data of blood pressure during pregnancy was extracted from MCHC medical records. Results. Mean maternal age was 31+5.04 years, with 14+2.7 education years. Only 8.8% consumed alcohol while 30.8% smoked during pregnancy. 8.9% reported chronic diseases and 16.7% had borderline hypertension. 41.5% of the parturients reported high traffic noise exposure. 22.7% of women with high noise exposure vs. only 11.7% of women with low noise exposure had borderline hypertension during pregnancy (OR=2.2; 95% CI; P=0.025). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, high noise exposure was noted as an independent risk factor for mild hypertension during pregnancy after controlling for BMI, gestational age, chronic illness, smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy (adjusted OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.1- 4.7, p=0.035). Conclusions. Self-reported exposure to traffic noise was found as an independent risk factor for mild hypertension during pregnancy.