Solid fuel use and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Solid fuel use is a growing concern for adverse birth outcomes.
• Previous studies on solid fuel use and low birth weight (LBW) have yielded inconsistent findings.
• Understanding this association is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between solid fuel use during pregnancy and low birth weight.
• To quantify the overall effect and explore sources of heterogeneity in the existing literature.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Qvid Medline, and Web of Science databases.
• Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis, employing a random-effects model for effect estimation.
• Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess heterogeneity and result stability.

Main Results:

• Nineteen studies evaluated the link between maternal solid fuel use and LBW, revealing a significant positive association (OR 1.188; 95% CI: 1.055 to 1.322).
• Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations in studies from Asia, those using data prior to 2014, and rural settings.
• Overall heterogeneity was moderate (I²=48.1%), with some subgroups showing higher heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Solid fuel use by pregnant women is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight.
• Public health policies promoting cleaner energy sources and reducing solid fuel reliance are warranted.
• Further research may be needed to explore regional variations and specific exposure pathways.