Birth defects and prenatal exposure to particulate matter in a Colombian population

Abstract

Introduction: Air pollution is associated with adverse obstetric events. There is
evidence of an association between exposure to high levels of particulate matter less
than 10 microns (PM10) and birth defects. Objective: To determine the existence of
an association between birth defects and prenatal exposure of pregnant women to
PM10 in a Colombian population. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Cases
of mothers of newborns with postnatally confirmed congenital defects and controls
without congenital defects were included. Emission exposure was determined by
temporo-spatial disaggregation using ArcGIS® and georeferencing using gvSIG®,
Google Earth® and Google Street View®, using previously published and validated
estimates for the city. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi-Stats Open
now®. Results: A total of 101 patients were included, corresponding to 31 cases and
70 controls. There was an increased risk of developing birth defects after exposure
to PM10 emissions above 2.23 Ton/year/250m2 (OR: 8.17; 95% CI: 1.61 – 41.46; p =
0.011). Conclusions: There was a relationship between exposure to high levels of
PM10 and increased risk of birth defects in the population studied. Future research
on the relationship between environmental contamination and adverse obstetric
events is suggested.