Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Maternal exposure to air pollution has been identified as a significant risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. This research project aims to investigate the impact of various air pollutants on birth outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and birth defects. The study will utilize a large dataset of maternal and birth records, combined with air quality data, to analyze associations between different pollutants and adverse birth outcomes. The research will employ advanced statistical methods to control for confounding variables such as maternal age, smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, the study will explore potential interactions between different types of air pollutants and other risk factors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between air pollution and birth outcomes. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute valuable insights to the existing body of literature on the effects of air pollution on maternal and child health. By identifying specific pollutants that pose the greatest risk and understanding the mechanisms through which they impact birth outcomes, this study aims to inform public health policies and interventions aimed at reducing exposure to harmful air pollutants during pregnancy. Ultimately, the goal of this research project is to generate evidence-based recommendations for pregnant women, healthcare providers, and policymakers to mitigate the impact of air pollution on birth outcomes. By raising awareness of the potential risks associated with maternal exposure to air pollution and highlighting the importance of clean air initiatives, this study seeks to improve birth outcomes and promote the health and well-being of mothers and their newborns. In conclusion, this research project represents a critical step towards addressing the public health challenge of air pollution and its impact on maternal and child health. By investigating the relationships between different air pollutants and adverse birth outcomes, this study aims to provide valuable information that can guide future research efforts and shape effective interventions to protect the most vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of air pollution.

Thesis Overview

The knowledge about air pollution effects on birth weight, prematurity, and small for gestational age (SGA) in low-exposure areas is insufficient.Maternal Exposure

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this birth cohort study was to investigate whether low-level exposure to air pollution was associated with prematurity and fetal growth and whether there are sex-specific effects.Maternal Exposure

METHOD:

We combined high-quality registry information on 81,110 births with individually modeled exposure data at residence for nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and proximity to roads with differing traffic density. The data were analyzed by logistic and linear regression with and without potential confounders.Maternal Exposure

RESULTS: We observed an increased risk for babies being SGA when we compared highest and lowest NO(x) quartiles, adjusting for maternal age, smoking, sex, and year of birth. After additional adjustment for maternal country of origin and parity (which were highly intercorrelated), the increase was no longer statistically significant. However, in subgroup analyses when we compared highest and lowest NO(x) quartiles we still observed an increased risk for SGA for girls [odds ratio (OR)=1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.24); we also observed increased risk among mothers who had not changed residency during pregnancy (OR=1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18). The confounders with the greatest impact on SGA were parity and country of origin. Concerning prematurity, the prevalence was lower in the three higher NO(x) exposure quartiles compared with the lowest category.Maternal Exposure