Born Under the Haze: The Link Between Air Pollution and Premature Births with Low Birth Weight
Cases of low birth weight (LBW) and premature birth are still prevalent in Indonesia. According to the Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey (2022), the prevalence of LBW in Indonesia is approximately 6%. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF report that the likelihood of babies being born prematurely in Indonesia is 10%. Many factors can contribute to these occurrences, and one of them is air pollution. Let's explore the relationship between these two aspects in this study.
Journal Summary
- Journal Title: The Association Between Air Pollution and Low Birth Weight and Preterm Labor in Ahvaz, Iran
- Publication Date: May 4, 2020
- Authors: Reihaneh Sarizadeh, Maryam Dastoorpoor, Gholamreza Goudarzi, and Masoumeh Simbar
- Journal Source: International Journal of Women's Health
Key Findings
The results suggest that air pollution can affect a baby's birth weight and the timing of their birth. Pregnant women should be aware of these risks and try to avoid polluted air during pregnancy. In fact, air pollution has caused 3.7 million deaths worldwide, with 88% occurring in developing and less affluent countries (WHO, 2014).
The study found that:
- Exposure to PM10 and SO2 was directly linked to low birth weight.
- PM2.5 did not show a significant relationship with low birth weight.
- Exposure to PM2.5 was significantly linked to preterm birth. This means that for every increase in PM2.5, the risk of preterm delivery increases slightly.
Methodology
Researchers looked at data from pregnant women who had low birth weight or premature labor at two hospitals in Ahvaz (Imam Khomeini Hospital and Razi Hospital). They collected information about different air pollutants (including O3, NO, NO2, SO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) and climate conditions from 2008 to 2018 from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Khuzestan Province. They used a model to analyze this data.
Why This Study Is Important
- Air pollution is dangerous for pregnant women: Air pollution, especially from PM2.5, can impact when babies are born and their weight at birth. Pregnant women should be cautious about being in polluted areas to protect their babies' health.
- Air Pollution Threatens at Various Life Stages: Recognizing the link between air pollution and its impact on society as a whole, affecting various age groups, from prenatal to newborns, children, and adults.
- Need for Holistic Policies: Understanding that air pollution sources are diverse and stem from various life sectors (industry, energy, transportation, households, etc.), there is a need for holistic policies to address air pollution directly from its sources. This is especially crucial to protect vulnerable groups from the negative impacts of air pollution.
- Collaborative Efforts: Policymakers should encourage collaboration between different sectors, including government, industry, and communities, to implement effective policies to reduce the impact of air pollution and improve overall well-being.
For further details, please refer to the complete research report or related studies in the field of maternal and child health and environmental health.
