Air Pollution and the Risk of Birth Defects in Anqing City, China.

Yao, Cijiang; Chen, Yanyan; Zhu, Xiaoxia; Liu, Ying; Zhang, Jian; Hou, Lijuan; Xu, Yachun; Zhang, Chao et al. · J Occup Environ Med · 2016

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore evidence for the influence of air pollution on the risk of birth defects in China and contribute to establish prevention strategies. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Anqing city, Eastern China, from 2010 to 2012. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) per 10 μg/m3 change for SO2, NO2, and PM10. For continuous exposure to SO2 (10 μg/m increase), the adjusted OR for birth defects is 1.20 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.09 to 1.29] in the preconception. A 10 μg/m increase in SO2 (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.36) during the second trimester is strongly associated with birth defects. No associations have been observed for NO2 and PM10. The results suggested that exposure to ambient SO2 during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects.

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