Ambient Air Pollution: A New Intrauterine Environmental Toxin for Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight

BackgroundUrbanization and industrialization in developing and developed countries have led to rise of intrauterine environmental toxins-PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and Ozone.AimTo determine association of ambient air pollution exposure with prematurity and low birth weight.Materials and MethodsIt is a retrospective cohort study done from January 2021 till June 2022 in a tertiary care hospital, New Delhi. Purposive sampling was done, and for each patient, criteria pollutants exposure was recorded from the government recording stations nearest to her residence and pregnancy outcome correlated with same.ResultsTotal 1155 deliveries were recruited. Significant association was found between PM2.5 exposure and preterm birth during first trimester (p < 0.05). Significant association was found between ozone exposure and preterm birth during second trimester (p < 0.05). Significant association was also found between NO2 exposure and preterm birth during first and second trimester (p < 0.05). Maternal PM2.5 exposure during first trimester was significantly associated with low birth weight (p < 0.05). PM10 exposure during first trimester was significantly associated with low birth weight (p < 0.05).ConclusionCurrent study reveals direct relationship between ambient air pollution exposure and pregnancy outcomes (preterm birth and low birth weight).