Health Effects of Air Pollution on Fetus.
10.5124/jkma.2007.50.2.183
- Author:
Eun Hee HA
1
;
Byung Mi KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Korea. eunheeha@ewha.ac.kr, kbm80@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Air pollution;
Fetal health;
VOCs;
Birth outcome
- MeSH:
Air Pollution*;
Critical Period (Psychology);
Environmental Monitoring;
Environmental Policy;
Epidemiologic Studies;
Female;
Fetus*;
Humans;
Infant, Low Birth Weight;
Infant, Newborn;
Parturition;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Outcome;
Premature Birth;
Stillbirth
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2007;50(2):183-190
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
In many previous studies for the relationship between air pollution and birth outcome, the exposure was based on the data for environmental monitoring site. We reviewed the epidemiologic studies that evaluated the health effects of air pollution on birth outcome such as low birth weight and preterm births. We identified the air pollution exposure during pregnancy was related with low birth weight and preterm birth, although there are differences between studies for the critical period of vulnerability. also suggests that the indoor and personal exposure to VOCs during pregnancy may contribute the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The biological mechanisms whereby air pollution might influence health of fetus are not clearly established. Controlling for potential confounders and valid assessment of exposure are the problem remained in these epidemiologic studies. In the future, more studies are need to investigate the effect of air pollution on preterm birth or stillbirths, considering the various exposure period, and the biological mechanism. also results should be taken into account for future advisories and evaluation of environmental policy .
