Air pollution exposure in early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a register-based cohort study

摘要

Objectives Our aim was to study the possible associations between exposure to elevated levels of air pollution, ozone (O₃) and vehicle exhaust (NO_x), during early gestation, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and small for gestational age. Design Prospective register-based cohort study. Setting The Swedish Medical Birth Register includes data on all deliveries during 1998 to 2006 in Greater Stockholm, Sweden. The national Patient Register and the Prescribed Drug Register were used to collect information on maternal asthma. Participants All singleton pregnancies, conceived at the earliest in August 1997 and at the latest in February 2006, were included, n=120?755. Outcome measures We studied preterm birth, small for gestational age and pre-eclampsia. Results 4.4% of pregnancies resulted in a preterm birth. The prevalence of pre-eclampsia was 2.7%. We observed an association between first trimester O₃ and preterm birth (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08) as well as an association with pre-eclampsia (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08), per 10?μg/m3 increase in O₃. We observed no association between first trimester NO_x and adverse pregnancy outcomes. No associations were observed between any of the air pollutants and small for gestational age. Conclusions Increased levels of O₃ during the first trimester increased the risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth. Air pollutants did not exhibit any effects on fetal growth restriction. We estimated 1 in every 20 cases of pre-eclampsia to be associated with O₃ exposure.