[Research progress on the relationship between air pollution and gestational diabetes]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Reproductive Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant pregnancy complication with lasting health impacts on mothers and offspring.
• Emerging evidence identifies air pollution as a key risk factor for diabetes, with growing links to GDM incidence.
• Existing research on air pollution and GDM shows inconsistencies, and critical exposure windows remain undefined.

Approach:

• This review synthesizes recent studies examining the relationship between exposure to ambient air pollutants and GDM occurrence.
• It investigates potential molecular mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, adipokine disruption, and gut microbiota imbalance, through which air pollutants may induce GDM.
• The review aims to provide a scientific foundation for mitigating pollutant exposure and reducing GDM risks.

Key Points:

• Air pollution is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus.
• Mechanisms may involve inflammation, oxidative stress, altered adipokine secretion, and gut dysbiosis.
• Understanding exposure windows and molecular pathways is crucial for GDM prevention.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to clarify the precise relationship and exposure windows between air pollution and GDM.
• Identifying specific pollutants and their mechanisms can guide public health interventions.
• Reducing air pollution exposure may improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, enhancing the quality of the birth population.