Abstract
Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Few studies have evaluated the influences of air quality, including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and particulate matter (PM), on fetal development, which this study examined. This longitudinal correlation study used multiple linear regression data analysis of PM2.5/PM10, self-reported ETS exposure, urinary cotinine level, maternal characteristics, and birth parameters (gestational week, body weight, body length, head, and chest circumferences) with the effect of air quality on fetal growth. The study included 74 pregnant women (mean age 31.9 ± 4.2 years, body mass index 23.6 ± 3.8 kg/m2, average gestational duration 38.5 ± 0.8 weeks). ETS exposure decreased birth length by ≥1 cm, and potentially is an independent risk factor for fetal growth restriction, and pregnant women should avoid indoor and outdoor ETS. However, neither PM2.5/PM10 nor ETS was associated with low birth weight or small for gestational age. This study adds to the evidence base that ETS exposure of nonsmoking pregnant women affects the fetal birth length. Family members should refrain from smoking near expectant mothers, although smoking in the vicinity of their residential surroundings potentially exposes mothers and their fetuses to ETS. Public pollution and childbirth education classes should include details of indoor ETS.
Highlights
Exposure to air pollution affects pediatric health in many ways [1,2]
The potential mechanisms underlying the effect on birth growth is that trans-placental exposure to ambient air pollutants and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) could trigger an oxidative stress process that may lead to DNA damage and fetal growth restriction [10,26]
We investigated the association between birth outcomes, small for gestational age (SGA), and early gestational exposure to ETS
Summary
Exposure to air pollution affects pediatric health in many ways [1,2]. The most important stage of children’s health begins during fetal development. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are important health indicators of neonatal and infant health. Exposure to toxicants during pregnancy has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, which include shorter gestational duration [3,4,5,6]. Fetal growth restriction [3,7,8,9]. Plausible mechanisms mediating the influence of toxicant exposure on a developing fetus may include impaired oxygen and nutrient transport to the fetus. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5319; doi:10.3390/ijerph17155319 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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