Key Takeaways:

• Newborns exposed to fine particulate air pollution during their mother’s second trimester of pregnancy might have a higher risk of developing asthma early in life.
• The study followed the health trajectory of over 400 children and their mothers, estimating the mother’s exposure to air pollution based on their place of residence.
• Exposure to higher levels of fine particles during the second trimester led to a higher prevalence of asthma, especially in children of mothers who weren’t obese.
• The impact of maternal obesity, a known risk factor for childhood asthma, could dilute the additional effects of air pollution.
• Identifying the gestational period most affected by air pollution could help understand the underlying mechanisms regarding this relationship, but these findings should be considered provisional until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Newborns of women encountering fine particulate air pollution during their second trimester of pregnancy might have a heightened risk of developing asthma early in their lives, a recent study has suggested.

Fine particle air pollution, capable of deep inhalation, is associated with significant health hazards, the researchers have warned. This form of pollution can be commonly found in smoke and haze.

“Understanding that a mother’s exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can affect the lung development of their offspring leading to respiratory complications such as asthma is common knowledge. What remains foggy, however, is whether the timing of such exposure is crucial,” stated the lead researcher of the study, Yueh-Hsiu Mathilda Chiu, from the Pediatrics department at Icahn School of Medicine, located in New York City.

A Closer Look at the Study

“Our research aimed to identify if increased exposure to particulate air pollution at specific times during pregnancy correlated with a greater risk of asthma in urban children,” Chiu mentioned at an American Thoracic Society press meet.

The research involved following the health trajectory of over 400 children till they reached 7 years, along with their mothers. The mother’s exposure to air pollution from sources like traffic, power plants, etc. during the prenatal period was estimated based on their place of residence.

According to the study, it was uncovered that exposure to higher levels of fine particles during the second trimester led to a higher asthma prevalence. It was particularly noticeable in children whose mothers weren’t obese.

Obesity and Pollution

“The impact of maternal obesity, a well-documented risk factor for the onset of childhood asthma, could be so overwhelming that it becomes difficult to discern the additional effects of air pollution among children born to obese mothers in these circumstances,” stated the researchers.

Dr. Rosalind Wright, the study’s senior investigator, emphasized the necessity to “maintain and elevate the standards of air quality and minimize exposure to pregnant women for a myriad of health reasons. Identifying the gestational period most affected by air pollution could spark further understanding of the underlying mechanisms regarding this relationship,” she highlighted during the press release.

However, it is important to note that research findings and conclusions disclosed during meetings should be deemed provisional until they are published in a medical journal following a peer-review.

Additional Information

For more about particle pollution, follow this linked page to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.