Combined effects of ambient air pollution and home environmental factors on low birth weight
Chan Lu1, Weishe Zhang2, Xiangrong Zheng3
1XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Early Life Development and Disease Prevention, XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to air pollution and parental smoking increases the risk of term low birth weight (LBW). Early pregnancy is a critical window for these environmental exposures, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Perinatal Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global public health concern.
- Environmental risk factors contributing to LBW require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between LBW (term and preterm) and prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and home environmental factors.
- To identify critical exposure windows and key indoor/outdoor factors influencing LBW development.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 3509 children in Changsha, China (2011-2012).
- Questionnaire data collected on home environmental factors (e.g., parental smoking, redecoration) and birth outcomes.
- Maternal exposure to PM10, SO2, and NO2 estimated across different gestational periods.
- Logistic regression analysis used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Term LBW (TLBW) significantly associated with prenatal PM10 exposure, particularly during early pregnancy (conception month, first trimester).
- TLBW also significantly linked to indoor parental smoking.
- No significant associations found for preterm LBW (PLBW).
- Combined exposure to PM10 and parental smoking posed the highest TLBW risk.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to combined outdoor (PM10) and indoor (parental smoking) air pollution significantly elevates term LBW risk.
- Early pregnancy represents a critical window for these environmental exposures.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing both ambient and home environmental factors to prevent LBW.
Background:
Low birth weight (LBW) remains a major public health problem worldwide, yet its crucial environmental risk factors are still unclear.
Objective:
To examine the association between LBW (term and preterm LBW) and prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and home environmental factors as well as their combination, in order to identify critical time window for exposure and key outdoor and indoor factors in LBW development.
Methods:
A cohort study of 3509 preschool children was performed in Changsha, China during the period 2011-2012. A questionnaire was conducted to survey each child's birth outcome and each mother's exposure to home environmental factors including parental smoking, new furniture, redecoration, mold/damp stains, window pane condensation, and household pets during pregnancy. Maternal exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM10), industrial air pollutant (SO2), and traffic air pollutant (NO2) was estimated during different time windows of gestation, including conception month, three trimesters, birth month, and whole gestation. Associations of term and preterm LBW with ambient air pollutants and home environmental factors were assessed by multiple logistic regression models in terms of odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results:
Term LBW (TLBW) was significantly associated with exposure to ambient PM10 during pregnancy, with OR (95% CI) = 1.47 (1.00-2.14) for per IQR increase after adjustment for the covariates and home environmental factors. Specifically, we identified the significant association in early phase of pregnancy including conception month (1.90, 1.09-3.30) and the first trimester (1.72, 1.10-2.69). We further found that TLBW was significantly related with parental smoking at home, OR (95% CI) = 2.17 (1.09-4.33). However, no association was observed for preterm LBW (PLBW). The TLBW risk of ambient air pollution and home environmental factors was independent each other and hence the combined exposure to ambient PM10 and indoor parental smoking caused the highest risk. Sensitivity analysis suggested that foetus with younger mothers were significantly more susceptible to risk of indoor parental smoking, while those with smaller house and cockroaches were more sensitive to risk of outdoor PM10 exposure.
Conclusion:
Prenatal exposure to combined outdoor and indoor air pollution, particularly in critical window(s) during early pregnancy, significantly increases the risk of term LBW.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:36Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...