Effects of maternal exposure to air pollution on birth outcomes

Author(s)

Mariana Azevedo Carvalho

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2019-06-12

Examining board members

Lisandra Stein Bernardes Ciampi de Andrade; Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco; Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza

• Advisor: Lisandra Stein Bernardes Ciampi de Andrade; Alexandra Benachi

Abstract

Background: Ambient pollution may lead to adverse obstetric outcomes, such as premature birth and low birth weight. Objectives: To determine the influence of maternal air pollution exposure on sex ratio, on birth outcomes and on the growth curve of cephalic pole between the third trimester and the birth. Methods: ProcriAR, a prospective cohort study of 371 pregnant women, was conducted in the city of São Paulo. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were measured during each trimester using passive personal monitors. At the same time, NO2 and particulate matter lower than 10 Micro m (PM10) were measured by a fixed station. We evaluated the gestational age, birth weight, birth lenght, head circumference, newborn sex and the growth curve of cephalic pole between the third trimester and the birth. When the outcome variable was continuous, multivariate analysis was performed, controlling for gestational age, newborn sex, maternal age at conception, body mass index, parity, smoking, alcohol consumption, race, highest education level completed, marital status, umbilical artery pulsatility values at third trimester and type of delivery for the outcome head circumference. We used multiple logistic regression models to evaluate the association of being female based on a quantitative increase in pollutant concentration, controlling for maternal age at conception, parity and smoking. Results: Elevated exposure to pollutants NO2 and PM10 were associated with increased odds of being female. Each unit increase of NO2 exposure increased the odds of being female by 10% (odds ratio (OR) = 1,100, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1,040, 1,164; p = 0,001) and each unit increase of PM10 increased by 18% (OR = 1,176, 95% CI 1,054, 1,311, p = 0,004). Conclusion: In São Paulo, maternal exposure to pollutants prior to conception was significantly associated with the odds of being female (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/14433-4 - Associations of maternal exposure to air pollution on birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study
• Grantee: Mariana Azevedo Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate