Relationship Between Outdoor Air Pollutant Exposure and Premature Delivery in China- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Int J Public Health. 2023 Oct 9:68:1606226. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606226. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Objective: Preterm birth (PTB) is considered as a public health problem and one of the main risk factors related to the global disease burden. The purpose of this study aims to explore the influence of exposure to major air pollutants at different pregnancies on PTB. Methods: The relationship between air pollutants and PTB in China was collected from cohort studies and case-control studies published before 30 April 2022. Meta-analysis was carried out with STATA 15.0 software. Results: A total of 2,115 papers were retrieved, of which 18 papers met the inclusion criteria. The comprehensive effect of pollutant exposure and PTB were calculated. PM2.5 during entire pregnancy and O3 exposure during third trimester were positively associated with preterm birth. Every 10 μg/m3 increase in the average concentration of PM2.5 during the whole pregnancy will increase the risk of premature delivery by 4%, and every 10 μg/m3 increase in the average concentration of O3 in the third trimester will increase the risk of premature delivery by 1%. Conclusion: Exposure to PM2.5 entire prenatal pregnancy and O3 in third trimester is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth occurrence.

Keywords: China; adverse pregnancy outcome; atmospheric pollutants; meta-analysis; preterm birth.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollution* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects
  • Particulate Matter / adverse effects
  • Particulate Matter / analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth* / chemically induced
  • Premature Birth* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Health science and Technology Program) under grant (202201229) and the Inner Mongolia Medical University (“Zhiyuan Talents” project) under grant (ZY0201028).