scholarly journals Air Pollution and Racial Disparities in Pregnancy Outcomes in the United States: A Systematic Review

Author(s):  
Bonaventure Suiru Dzekem ◽  
Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy ◽  
Christopher O. Olopade

Abstract Background Exposure to air pollutants and other environmental factors increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is growing evidence that adverse outcomes related to air pollution disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities. This paper explores the importance of race as a risk factor for air pollution-related poor pregnancy outcomes. Methods We systematically reviewed epidemiologic studies investigating the effects of exposure to air pollution on pregnancy outcomes in the United States. Results Findings across all reviewed studies show more adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight and stillbirths) due to air pollution among Blacks and Hispanics than among non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusion This paper enhances our general understanding of the impact of air pollution on birth outcomes and, specifically, of disparities in birth outcomes for infants born to Black and Hispanic mothers.

Author(s):  
Mona Abdo ◽  
Isabella Ward ◽  
Katelyn O’Dell ◽  
Bonne Ford ◽  
Jeffrey Pierce ◽  
...  

Colorado is regularly impacted by long-range transport of wildfire smoke from upwind regions. This smoke is a major source of ambient PM2.5. Maternal exposure to total PM2.5 during pregnancy has been linked to decreased birth weight and other adverse outcomes, although the impact of wildfire smoke contribution has only recently been investigated. The objective of this study was to estimate associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and ambient wildfire smoke PM2.5. Wildfire smoke PM2.5 exposures were estimated using a previously published method incorporating ground-based monitors and remote sensing data. Logistic regression models stratified by ZIP code and mixed models with random intercept by ZIP code were used to test for associations. The primary outcomes of interest were preterm birth and birth weight. Secondary outcomes included gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, neonatal intensive care unit admission, assisted ventilation, small for gestational age, and low birth weight. Exposure to wildfire smoke PM2.5 over the full gestation and during the second trimester were positively associated with pre-term birth (OR = 1.076 (μg/m3)−1 [95% CI = 1.016, 1.139; p = 0.013] and 1.132 (μg/m3)−1 [95% CI = 1.088, 1.178]; p < 0.0001, respectively), while exposure during the first trimester was associated with decreased birth weight (−5.7 g/(μg/m3) [95% CI: −11.1, −0.4; p = 0.036]). Secondary outcomes were mixed.


Author(s):  
Lochan M. Shah ◽  
Bhavya Varma ◽  
Khurram Nasir ◽  
Mary Norine Walsh ◽  
Roger S. Blumenthal ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasantha Padmanabhan ◽  
Wenhui Song ◽  
Muraly Puttabyatappa

Abstract The burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight is considerable across the world. Several risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes have been identified. One risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes that is receiving considerable attention in recent years is gestational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Humans are exposed to multitude of environmental chemicals with known endocrine disrupting properties and evidence suggest that exposure to these EDCs have the potential to disrupt maternal-fetal environment culminating in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. This review addresses the impact of maternal and fetal exposure to environmental EDCs of natural and man-made chemicals in disrupting the maternal-fetal milieu in human leading to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes - a risk factor for adult onset non-communicable diseases, the role lifestyle and environmental factors play in mitigating or amplifying the effects of EDCs, the underlying mechanisms and mediaries involved, and the research directions to focus future investigations on to help alleviate the adverse effects from EDC exposures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110343
Author(s):  
Sewitemariam Desalegn Andarge ◽  
Abriham Sheferaw Areba ◽  
Robel Hussen Kabthymer ◽  
Miheret Tesfu Legesse ◽  
Girum Gebremeskel Kanno

Background Indoor air pollution from different fuel types has been linked with different adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to assess the link between indoor air pollution from different fuel types and anemia during pregnancy in Ethiopia. Method We have used the secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The anemia status of the pregnant women was the dichotomous outcome variable and the type of fuel used in the house was classified as high, medium, and low polluting fuels. Logistic regression was employed to determine the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio was calculated at 95% Confidence Interval. Result The proportion of anemia in the low, medium, and high polluting fuel type users was 13.6%, 46%, 40.9% respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the use of either kerosene or charcoal fuel types (AOR 4.6; 95% CI: 1.41-18.35) and being in the third trimester (AOR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.12-2.64) were significant factors associated with the anemia status of the pregnant women in Ethiopia. Conclusion According to our findings, the application of either kerosene or charcoal was associated with the anemia status during pregnancy in Ethiopia. An urgent intervention is needed to reduce the indoor air pollution that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as anemia.


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