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Risk of low birth weight and stillbirth associated with indoor air pollution from solid fuel use in developing

Daniel P Pope1, Vinod Mishra, Lisa Thompson

  • 1Division of Public Health, School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, Liverpool L69 3GB, United Kingdom. danpope@liverpool.ac.uk

Epidemiologic Reviews
|April 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use significantly increases the risk of low birth weight and stillbirth. This exposure affects millions of pregnant women globally, contributing to substantial population health risks.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use (IAP) is a major global health concern, linked to millions of deaths annually.
  • Emerging evidence suggests IAP may negatively impact pregnancy outcomes, including birth weight and stillbirth rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between IAP exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • To quantify the relationship between IAP and low birth weight (LBW) and stillbirth.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic reviews and fixed-effect meta-analyses were conducted.
  • Studies reporting mean birth weight, percentage of low birth weight (<2,500 g), and/or stillbirth in relation to IAP were identified and analyzed.
  • Data from five LBW studies and three stillbirth studies were included.

Main Results:

  • IAP exposure was significantly associated with an increased risk of low birth weight (OR=1.38) and stillbirth (OR=1.51).
  • Mean birth weight was reduced by 95.6 g in infants exposed to IAP.
  • Population attributable risks for LBW and stillbirth due to IAP were estimated at 21% and 26%, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • IAP is a significant risk factor for low birth weight and stillbirth globally.
  • Given high exposure rates in developing countries, IAP contributes substantially to adverse birth outcomes.
  • Interventions to reduce IAP exposure are crucial for improving maternal and child health.

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