Wednesday 16 October 2013

Lancet study examining the effect of maternal exposure to air pollution on birth weight

A recent study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, examines the effect of maternal exposure to low concentrations of ambient air pollution on birth weight, as ambient air pollution has previously been associated with restricted fetal growth.

The study, pooled from 14 population-based mother-child cohort studies in 12 European countries, found that exposure to ambient air pollutants and traffic density during pregnancy led to an 18% increased risk in low birth weight, after accounting for other factors like maternal smoking, age, weight and education.

Commenting on the study, Dr Patrick O’Brien, spokesperson for The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “This research, using data from several large population based studies, is very helpful in providing further evidence on the potential health impacts of air pollution. More research in this area could further our knowledge on the impact of air pollution on women and their babies.”
Read full article here

To read the Lancet study, Ambient air pollution and low birthweight: a European cohort study, please click here.

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