Pre- and postnatal particulate matter exposure and blood pressure in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yufan Liu; Yan Li; Hailin Xu; Xinying Zhao; Yawen Zhu; Bosen Zhao; Qing Yao; Huawei Duan; Caixia Guo; Yanbo Li

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115373

Pre- and postnatal particulate matter exposure and blood pressure in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Environ Res. 2023 Apr 15:223:115373. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115373. Epub 2023 Jan 31.

Authors

Yufan Liu¹, Yan Li², Hailin Xu¹, Xinying Zhao¹, Yawen Zhu², Bosen Zhao¹, Qing Yao¹, Huawei Duan³, Caixia Guo⁴, Yanbo Li⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
⁴ Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. Electronic address: guocx@ccmu.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China. Electronic address: ybli@ccmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36731599
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115373

Abstract

Background: Early life is a susceptible period of air pollution-related adverse health effects. Hypertension in children might be life-threatening without prevention or treatment. Nevertheless, the causative association between environmental factors and childhood hypertension was limited. In the light of particulate matter (PM) as an environmental risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, this study investigated the association of pre- and postnatal PM exposure with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension among children and adolescents.

Method: Four electronic databases were searched for related epidemiological studies published up to September 13, 2022. Stata 14.0 was applied to examine the heterogeneity among the studies and evaluate the combined effect sizes per 10 μg/m³ increase of PM by selecting the corresponding models. Besides, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias test were also conducted.

Results: Prenatal PM_2.5 exposure was correlated with increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in offspring [1.14 mmHg (95% CI: 0.12, 2.17)]. For short-term postnatal exposure effects, PM_2.5 (7-day average) was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) [0.20 mmHg (95% CI: 0.16, 0.23)] and DBP [0.49 mmHg (95% CI: 0.45, 0.53)]; and also, PM₁₀ (7-day average) was significantly associated with SBP [0.14 mmHg (95% CI: 0.12, 0.16)]. For long-term postnatal exposure effects, positive associations were manifested in SBP with PM_2.5 [β = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.48] and PM₁₀ [β = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.51]; DBP with PM₁ [β = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.49], PM_2.5 [β = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.35] and PM₁₀ [β = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.45]; and hypertension with PM₁ [OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.40, 1.46], PM_2.5 [OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.11] and PM₁₀ [OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.45].

Conclusion: Both prenatal and postnatal exposure to PM can increase BP, contributing to a higher prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Child health; Epidemiology; Hypertension; Particulate matter; Prenatal and postnatal exposures.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / analysis
Blood Pressure
Child
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Female
Humans
Hypertension* / chemically induced
Hypertension* / epidemiology
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Pregnancy

Substances

Particulate Matter
Air Pollutants