Newborns In Danger? This Common Pollutant Could Affect Your Baby’s Health! (Image Credits: iStock)
If you're expecting a baby, there's one more thing to add to your list of concerns—air pollution. A new study suggests that exposure to air pollution, especially in the last month of pregnancy, could increase the chances of a newborn needing intensive medical care after birth.
The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that pregnant women exposed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)—a harmful gas emitted from cars and power plants—had a 30 per cent to 35 per cent higher risk of their baby being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Similarly, exposure to fine particulate matter (tiny particles found in vehicle exhaust and wildfire smoke) increased the risk by 11 per cent to 22 per cent.
“Our findings highlight the critical impact of air pollution during the final weeks of pregnancy, a time when the baby is most vulnerable,” said Yohane Phiri, the study’s lead researcher from the University at Buffalo’s Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health.
To reach these conclusions, researchers analyzed birth records from 2018 and compared them with satellite data on air pollution levels across the United States. They found that the risk of NICU admissions due to nitrogen dioxide exposure was highest in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The risk linked to fine particulate matter varied with the seasons, peaking in summer along the West Coast and in the Southeast, while winter months saw the highest risk in the Northeast.
Air pollution has long been associated with pregnancy complications such as birth defects, preterm delivery, and restricted fetal growth. However, this study suggests that the damage could be even more severe, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions for newborns.
The researchers also examined ozone pollution but found no significant link to NICU admissions—except during the summer months.
While the study doesn’t prove that air pollution directly causes these health issues, it strongly supports efforts to improve air quality. “Such initiatives could benefit pregnant women by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants and lowering associated neonatal health risks,” Phiri added.
For expecting mothers, this research shows the importance of minimizing exposure to pollution whenever possible. Simple measures like avoiding high-traffic areas, using air purifiers at home, and staying indoors during periods of heavy air pollution could make a difference in protecting both mom and baby.
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