Dataset Information

Air pollution exposure and markers of placental growth and function: the generation R study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy might affect placental growth and function, perhaps leading to pregnancy complications.

Objective

We prospectively evaluated the associations of maternal air pollution exposure with markers of placental growth and function among 7,801 pregnant women in the Netherlands.

Methods

We estimated levels of particulate matter ? 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at the home address for different periods during pregnancy using dispersion modeling techniques. Pro- and anti-angiogenic factors [placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), respectively] were measured in first- and second-trimester maternal blood and in fetal cord blood samples at delivery. Pulsatility index of the uterine and umbilical arteries was measured by Doppler ultrasound in second and third trimester, and notching was assessed in third trimester. Placenta weight and birth weight were obtained from medical records.

Results

Higher PM10 and NO2 exposure levels were associated with lower second-trimester maternal sFlt-1 and PlGF levels. PM10 and NO2 exposures averaged over total pregnancy were associated with higher sFlt-1 and lower PlGF levels in fetal cord blood, consistent with an anti-angiogenic state. PM10 and NO2 exposures were not consistently associated with second- or third-trimester placental resistance indices. NO2 exposure was associated with third-trimester notching (odds ratio 1.33; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.78 per 10-µg/m3 increase in the prior 2 months). PM10 and NO2 exposures were associated with lower placenta weight (-11.8 g; 95% CI: -20.9, -2.7, and -10.7 g; 95% CI: -19.0, -2.4, respectively, per 10-µg/m3 increase in the prior 2 months), but not with placenta to birth weight ratio.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that maternal air pollution exposure may influence markers of placental growth and function. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the maternal and fetal consequences.

SUBMITTER: van den Hooven EH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3548279 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Air pollution exposure and markers of placental growth and function: the generation R study.

van den Hooven Edith H EH Pierik Frank H FH de Kluizenaar Yvonne Y Hofman Albert A van Ratingen Sjoerd W SW Zandveld Peter Y J PY Russcher Henk H Lindemans Jan J Miedema Henk M E HM Steegers Eric A P EA Jaddoe Vincent W V VW

Environmental health perspectives 20120824 12

<h4>Background</h4>Air pollution exposure during pregnancy might affect placental growth and function, perhaps leading to pregnancy complications.<h4>Objective</h4>We prospectively evaluated the associations of maternal air pollution exposure with markers of placental growth and function among 7,801 pregnant women in the Netherlands.<h4>Methods</h4>We estimated levels of particulate matter ≤ 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at the home address for different periods ...[more]

PMID: 22922820

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundPerinatal exposure to air pollution and immune system dysregulation are two factors consistently associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, little is known about how air pollution may influence maternal immune function during pregnancy.ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between mid-gestational circulating levels of maternal cytokines/chemokines and previous month air pollution exposure across neurodevelopmental groups, and to assess whether cytokines/chemokines mediate the relationship between air pollution exposures and risk of ASD and/or intellectual disability (ID) in the Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study.MethodsEMA is a population-based, nested case-control study which linked archived maternal serum samples collected during weeks 15-19 of gestation for routine prenatal screening, birth records, and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) records. Children receiving DDS services for ASD without intellectual disability (ASD without ID; n = 199), ASD with ID (ASD with ID; n = 180), ID without ASD (ID; n = 164), and children from the general population (GP; n = 414) with no DDS services were included in this analysis. Serum samples were quantified for 22 cytokines/chemokines using Luminex multiplex analysis technology. Air pollution exposure for the month prior to maternal serum collection was assigned based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System data using the maternal residential address reported during the prenatal screening visit.ResultsPrevious month air pollution exposure and mid-gestational maternal cytokine and chemokine levels were significantly correlated, though weak in magnitude (ranging from - 0.16 to 0.13). Ten pairs of mid-pregnancy immune markers and previous month air pollutants were significantly associated within one of the child neurodevelopmental groups, adjusted for covariates (p < 0.001). Mid-pregnancy air pollution was not associated with any neurodevelopmental outcome. IL-6 remained associated with ASD with ID even after adjusting for air pollution exposure.ConclusionThis study suggests that maternal immune activation is associated with risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, that prenatal air pollution exposure is associated with small, but perhaps biologically relevant, effects on maternal immune system function during pregnancy. Additional studies are needed to better evaluate how prenatal exposure to air pollution affects the trajectory of maternal immune activation during pregnancy, if windows of heightened susceptibility can be identified, and how these factors influence neurodevelopment of the offspring.

Dataset Information

Air pollution exposure and markers of placental growth and function: the generation R study.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Air pollution exposure and markers of placental growth and function: the generation R study.

Similar Datasets

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