Maternal exposure to fine particulate matter and preterm birth and low birth weight in Africa

Environment International

Randall V. Martin¹  Renjie Chen²  Melanie S. Hammer³  Haidong Kan³  Aaron van Donkelaar⁴  Weidong Wang⁵  Xia Meng⁵  Lina Zhang⁵  Jovine Bachwenkizi⁵  Cong Liu⁵ 

[1] Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA;Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, B3H 4R2 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA;Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, B3H 4R2 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China;

关键词: Fine particulate matter;    Preterm birth;    Low birth weight;    Multicountry;    Cross-sectional study;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been reported to adversely affect birth outcomes, but the evidence is limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We assessed the associations between maternal PM2.5 exposure and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) in Africa. Methods: We used standard Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data (2005–2015) from 15 countries in Africa to conduct a cross-sectional study. The study population was composed of 131,594 births with detailed information on maternal and household variables. LBW was defined as a birth weight of < 2500 g after 37 weeks, and PTB was defined as live birth occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. Average exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy was estimated using satellite-based models. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed, and analyses of data by region (Western, Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa) and data stratified by potential effect modifiers were conducted. Results: A total of 13,214 (10%) LBW and 4,377 (3.3%) PTB cases were identified. An interquartile range (IQR) (33.9 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 during pregnancy was associated with increased odds of LBW and PTB, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.23, 1.34) and 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.16), respectively. Region-specific analyses revealed significant associations between PM2.5 and LBW in all regions, and significant associations between PM2.5 and PTB in Western and Southern Africa. Subgroup analyses revealed that the association between PM2.5 and LBW was present in all subgroups, and stronger associations were observed in female infants, while the association between PM2.5 and PTB was larger in subgroups of older individuals living in urban areas. Conclusion: This multicountry study in Africa demonstrated significant associations between maternal exposure to PM2.5 and higher odds of LBW and PTB. Our findings may facilitate air quality control strategies that address adverse birth outcomes in LMICs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown