Ozone and Other Air Pollutants and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 18:6:34852. doi: 10.1038/srep34852.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether high levels of maternal exposure to O3, SO2, NO2, CO are related to increased risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in Wuhan, China. The study included mothers living in the central districts of Wuhan during pregnancy over the two-year period from June 10, 2011 to June 9, 2013. For each study participant, we assigned 1-month averages of O3, SO2, NO2 and CO exposure based on measurements obtained from the nearest exposure monitor to the living residence of mothers during their early pregnancy period. In one-pollutant model, we observed an increased risk of CHDs, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and tetralogy of fallot (TF) with increasing O3 exposure. In two-pollutant model, associations with all CHDs, VSD, and TF for O3 were generally consistent compared to the models that included only O3, with the strongest aORs observed for exposures during the third month of pregnancy. We also observed a positive association between CO exposures during the third month of pregnancy and VSD in two pollution model.Our results contribute to the small body of evidence regarding air pollution exposure and CHDs, but confirmation of these associations will be needed in future studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Carbon Monoxide / adverse effects
  • Carbon Monoxide / analysis
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Nitric Oxide / adverse effects
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis
  • Ozone / adverse effects
  • Ozone / analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk
  • Sulfur Dioxide / adverse effects
  • Sulfur Dioxide / analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ozone
  • Carbon Monoxide