Title
Chronic air pollution exposure during pregnancy and maternal and fetal c-reactive protein levels: The generation R study
Author
van den Hooven, E.H.
de Kluizenaar, Y.
Pierik, F.H.
Hofman, A.
van Ratingen, S.W.
Zandveld, P.Y.J.
Lindemans, J.
Russcher, H.
Steegers, E.A.P.
Miedema, H.M.E.
Jaddoe, V.W.V.
Publication year
2012
Abstract
Background: Exposure to air pollution has been associated with higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, suggesting an inflammatory response. Not much is known about this association in pregnancy. Objectives: We investigated the associations of air pollution exposure during pregnancy with maternal and fetal CRP levels in a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Methods: Particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) levels were estimated at the home address using dispersion modeling for different averaging periods preceding the blood sampling (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and total pregnancy). High-sensitivity CRP levels were measured in maternal blood samples in early pregnancy (n = 5,067) and in fetal cord blood samples at birth (n = 4,450). Results: Compared with the lowest quartile, higher PM10 exposure levels for the prior 1 and 2 weeks were associated with elevated maternal CRP levels (> 8 mg/L) in the first trimester [fourth PM10 quartile for the prior week: odds ratio (OR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.61; third PM10 quartile for the prior 2 weeks: OR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56]; however, no clear dose-response relationships were observed. PM10 and NO2 exposure levels for 1, 2, and 4 weeks preceding delivery were not consistently associated with fetal CRP levels at delivery. Higher long-term PM10 and NO 2 exposure levels (total pregnancy) were associated with elevated fetal CRP levels (> 1 mg/L) at delivery (fourth quartile PM10: OR, 2.18; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.38; fourth quartile NO 2: OR, 3.42; 95% CI: 1.36, 8.58; p-values for trend < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may lead to maternal and fetal inflammatory responses.
Subject
Earth & Environment
UES - Urban Environment & Safety
EELS - Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences
Urban Development
Health
Built Environment
Air pollution
C-reactive protein
Dispersion modeling
Inflammation
Nitrogen dioxide
Particulate matter
Pregnancy
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2e6a6dca-3b80-4a26-8523-515fd4ded3da
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345
TNO identifier
460459
ISSN
0091-6765
Source
Environmental Health Perspectives, 120 (5), 746-751
Document type
article