Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter
Published on: June 13, 2025
Association between air pollutants and birth defects in Xiamen, China
Zhimeng Huang1, Yue Qiu2, Jiawen Qi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Objective:
To explore the relationship between common air pollution and common birth defects, and to provide reference for the prevention of birth defects.
Methods:
We conducted a case-control study in Xiamen, a city in southeastern China from 2019 to 2020. Logistics regression was used to analyze the relationship between sulfur dioxide(SO2), fine particulate matter 2.5(PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), ozone(O3), carbon monoxide(CO) and the occurrence of common birth defects such as congenital heart disease, facial cleft, and finger deformity.
Results:
SO2 significantly increased the risk of birth defects such as congenital heart disease, cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and ear deformity in the first and second months of pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Exposure to common air pollutants increases the risk of birth defects, and SO2 significantly affects the occurrence of birth defects in the first two months of pregnancy.
