Associations between prenatal traffic-related air pollution exposure and birth weight: Modification by sex and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index

Abstract

Background Prenatal traffic-related air pollution exposure is linked to adverse birth outcomes. However, modifying effects of maternal body mass index (BMI) and infant sex remain virtually unexplored. Objectives We examined whether associations between prenatal air pollution and birth weight differed by sex and maternal BMI in 670 urban ethnically mixed mother-child pairs. Methods Black carbon (BC) levels were estimated using a validated spatio-temporal land-use regression (LUR) model; fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was estimated using a hybrid LUR model incorporating satellite-derived Aerosol Optical Depth measures. Using stratified multivariable-adjusted regression analyses, we examined whether associations between prenatal air pollution and calculated birth weight for gestational age (BWGA) z-scores varied by sex and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Results Median birth weight was 3.3±0.6 kg; 33% of mothers were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m3). In stratified analyses, the association between higher PM2.5 and lower birth weight was significant in males of obese mothers (−0.42 unit of BWGA z-score change per IQR increase in PM2.5, 95%CI: −0.79 to −0.06) ( PM2.5 × sex × obesity Pinteraction=0.02). Results were similar for BC models (Pinteraction=0.002). Conclusions Associations of prenatal exposure to traffic-related air pollution and reduced birth weight were most evident in males born to obese mothers.

A Review on Predicting Ground PM2.5 Concentration Using Satellite Aerosol Optical Depth

“…The distinctive feature of the model of Kloog et al is its inclusion of meteorological variables (such as temperature, wind speed and visibility) and land use variables (such as elevation, percentage of open spaces, area emissions, point emissions and distance to major roads) into the model, which is appropriate for studying acute and chronic health effects. Since then, many researchers, including Kloog, Madrigano, Chiu and others, have used MEM to study acute and chronic health effects [79,96,[130][131][132][133], and it has performed well. In 2012, by using GEOS AOD data and adding a surface reflection variable into MEM, Chudnovsky et al [35] showed a high predictive value of CV-R 2 = 0.920.…”

A Generalized Additive Model Combining Principal Component Analysis for PM2.5 Concentration Estimation

“…Due to its potential threat to human health and the environment, PM 2.5 has been given high priority in research activities in the fields of air pollution and environmental health [2][3][4]. Recent epidemiological studies have shown an association between PM 2.5 and adverse effects on human health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases [5,6], heart problems and lung cancer [7], and a significantly reduced birth rate [8,9]. PM 2.5 pollution has become one of the critical air problems and seriously affects people's daily lives worldwide.…”

A meta-analysis of the impact of traffic-related air pollution on health and the factors affecting exposure

“…Furthermore proximity to a major road has also been associated with pre -term birth [21,22]. Conflicting evidence has been found between birth weight and exposure to traffic related air pollution [23][24][25][26][27]. Several studies which modelled prenatal exposure found a reduction in birth weight [23,24,26] however two studies negated the association [25,27].…”

“…Several studies which modelled prenatal exposure found a reduction in birth weight [23,24,26] however two studies negated the association [25,27]. Due to the lack of clarity and the methodology short comings of some studies [20][21][22][23][24]26] there is a need for additional evidence on the subject of air pollution and pregnancy.…”