Volatile organic compounds in the air of neonatal incubators

Abstract

Ambiant air pollution during pregnancy and infancy may affect the health in childhood. A meta-analysis showed that an increase in 10 mcg m−3 of particle concentration (10 micrometer diameter) is associated with a 5% increase in postneonatal mortality for all causes and around 22% for postneonatal mortality for respiratory diseases.1 Chemical air contamination has been demonstrated in incubators used for assisted reproduced technology.2 One study showed that the atmospheric purification by an intraincubator air purification unit significantly increased pregnancy rate following transfer of in vitro produced bovine embryos.3