Maternal Exposition to Dust Particles in Pregnancy and Fetal Growthin Two Regions with Different Levels of Air Pollution

Overview

Background.
Recently, an association between adverse pregnancy outcome and air pollution was hypothesizedin several papers. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of particles with aerodynamic diameter< 10 mm (PM10) on the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in two regions with the different level s of air pollution.Methods and Results. The study group includes all singleton full term births of European origin over a two-yearperiod in the district of Teplice (n=1,943) and Prachatice (n=883). Information on reproductive and health historyand lifestyle was obtained from maternal questionnaires and medical records. IUGR was chosen as the indicator ofreproductive effects. The mean concentration of PM10 for each women in particular gestational month was calculated.Three concentration intervals were constructed (low 50 mg/m3). Relativerisk of IUGR was estimated for particular month and pollutant level. Influence of the potential confounders (maternalage, height and pre-pregnancy weight, smoking, season and the year of study) was controlled using logistic regressionmodels; adjusted odd’s ratio (AOR) was estimated. Relative risk of IUGR in Teplice District was increased formedium PM10 levels (AOR=1.62 CI: 1.07-2.46) (P

Key words:
air pollution, PM10, reproductive effects, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal growth retardation,