Abstract
BackgroundAir pollution is becoming an increased burden to the world. Previous studies have confirmed its effects on adverse birth outcomes, but few associated with premature small for gestational age (SGA). We report a retrospective cohort study conducted in Changzhou city to evaluate the association between air pollutants (PM2.5, SO2 and NO2) and premature SGA during pregnancy.MethodsA total of 46,224 births were collected from January, 2013 to December, 2016, in Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, finally 2709 preterm births were admitted for study. Corresponding air monitoring data were collected from Changzhou Environmental Protection Agency. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between these air pollutants and premature SGA controlling for individual covariates in single- and multi-pollutant models.ResultsWe found that, in the third trimester, every 10 μg/m3 increments in PM2.5 concentration were associated with premature SGA (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–2.83; OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–3.58) in two- and three-pollutants models. In the whole gestation, a 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5 concentration in two- and three-pollutant models were related to premature SGA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.38–2.47; OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.18–2.57). The OR (95% CI) of premature SGA were increasing across quintiles of PM2.5, SO2, NO2 concentrations during the whole gestation period adjusting for confounders (Pfor trend < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results indicated that pregnant women exposed to PM2.5, combined with other pollutants in the third trimester have a higher risk to deliver premature SGA babies, providing further evidence linking PM2.5 and pregnancy outcomes.
Highlights
Air pollution is becoming an increased burden to the world
Some studies had confirmed the significantly impacts of air pollutants on preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA), few studies had elucidated the relationship between air pollutants and premature SGA
During the study period, there were 10,028 (2013), 12, 198 (2014), 10,743 (2015), and 13,255 (2016) live births, in which 750 (2013), 856 (2014), 847 (2015), and 1078 (2016) preterm births were enrolled from the retrospective cohort study
Summary
Air pollution is becoming an increased burden to the world. Previous studies have confirmed its effects on adverse birth outcomes, but few associated with premature small for gestational age (SGA). A literature from [18] reviewed the association between air pollutants (including particulate matters below 10 and 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO)) and adverse birth outcomes (low birth, LBW and PTB). Another recent research [19] indicated that exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 in the second trimester and exposure to PM10 in the late pregnancy had a strong effect on PTB. Whether they would affect the premature SGA is still unclear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
