| Fetal Growth and Maternal Exposure to Particulate Matter during Pregnancy Jan Dejmek,1 Sherry G. Selevan,2 Ivan Benes,3 Ivo Solansky,1 and Radim J. Srám1 1Laboratory of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Regional Institute of Hygiene of Central Bohemia and Institute of Experimental Medicine, Prague, Vídeñská, Czech Republic
2National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
3District Institute of Hygiene, Teplice, Czech Republic Abstract
Prior studies reported an association between ambient air concentrations of total suspended particles and SO2 during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We examined the possible impact of particulate matter up to 10 µm (PM10) and up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in size on intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) risk in a highly polluted area of Northern Bohemia (Teplice District) . The study group includes all singleton full-term births of European origin over a 2-year period in the Teplice District. Information on reproductive history, health, and lifestyle was obtained from maternal questionnaires. The mean concentrations of pollutants for each month of gestation were calculated using continuous monitoring data. Three intervals (low, medium, and high) were constructed for each pollutant (tertiles) . Odds ratios (ORs) for IUGR for PM10 and PM2.5 levels were generated using logistic regression for each month of gestation after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Adjusted ORs for IUGR related to ambient PM10 levels in the first gestational month increased along the concentration intervals: medium 1.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) , 1.07-2.46], high 2.64 (CI, 1.48-4.71) . ORs for PM2.5 were 1.26 (CI, 0.81-1.95) and 2.11 (CI, 1.20-3.70) , respectively. No other associations of IUGR risk with particulate matter were found. Influence of particles or other associated air pollutants on fetal growth in early gestation is one of several possible explanations of these results. Timing of this effect is compatible with a current hypothesis of IUGR pathogenesis. Seasonal factors, one of the other possible explanations, is less probable. More investigation is required to examine these findings and alternative explanations. Key words: air pollution, environmental exposure, fetal growth, intrauterine growth retardation, particulate matter, PM2.5, PM10, reproductive effects. Environ Health Perspect 107:475-480 (1999) . [Online 4 May 1999] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p475-480dejmek/ abstract.html Address correspondence to J. Dejmek, Laboratory of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Vídeñská 1083, Czech Republic. Telephone: +420-2-4724756. Fax: +420-2-4752785. E-mail: dejmekj@ms.anet.cz The authors are grateful to G.C. Windham and R. Jelínek for their invaluable comments. We thank the many gynecologists and their staff members from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology in hospitals in Teplice, Duchcov, Prachatice, Vimperk, and Písek for their dedication and participation in this study. We also thank our colleagues from the District Institutes of Hygiene in Teplice and Prachatice for their support and collaboration. Supported by a grant from the Czech Ministry of Environment (Teplice Program) , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/U.S. Agency for International Development, and CEC (PHARE II, EC/HEA-18/CZ) . This manuscript has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. EPA policy, and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA. Received 15 October 1998 ; accepted 17 February 1999.
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