Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and fetal growth in North-East Scotland: A population-based study using routine ultrasound scans

- We examined the effect of maternal pollution exposure for fetal growth and size.
- Exposure to particulates and NO2 strongly associated with reductions in head growth and size.
- Effects were strongest for non-smokers.
- Pollution effects were observed despite a relatively low exposure environment.

BackgroundMaternal ambient air pollution exposure is associated with reduced birthweight. Few studies have examined the effect on growth in utero and none have examined the effect of exposure to particulates less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and possible effect modification by smoking status.ObjectivesExamine the effect of maternal exposure to ambient concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for in utero fetal growth, size at birth and effect modification by smoking status.MethodsAdministratively acquired second and third trimester fetal measurements (bi-parietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference), birth outcomes (weight, crown heel length and occipito-frontal circumference) and maternal details were obtained from routine fetal ultrasound scans and maternity records (period 1994-2009). These were modelled against residential annual pollution concentrations (calendar year mean) adjusting for covariates and stratifying by smoking status.ResultsIn the whole sample (n = 13,775 pregnancies), exposure to PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with reductions in measurements at birth and biparietal diameter from late second trimester onwards. Among mothers who did not smoke at all during pregnancy (n = 11,075), associations between biparietal diameter and pollution exposure remained significant but were insignificant among those who did smoke (n = 2700). Femur length and abdominal circumference were not significantly associated with pollution exposure.ConclusionsFetal growth is strongly associated with particulates exposure from later in second trimester onwards but the effect appears to be subsumed by smoking. Typical ambient exposures in this study were relatively low compared to other studies and given these results, it may be necessary to consider reducing recommended “safe” ambient air exposures.