PM10 and pregnancy outcomes: a hospital-based cohort study of pregnant women in Seoul.
OBJECTIVE
: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PM10 on birth outcomes using a prospective cohort of pregnant women.


METHODS
: The multicenter prospective study was conducted in Korea from 2001 to 2004. To estimate the effects of PM10 exposure on birth outcomes, the logistic and linear regression model and the generalized additive model for nonlinear relationships were used.


RESULTS
: Stillbirths were affected by PM10 level during the third trimesters (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.02-1.14), and birth defects were influenced by the PM10 exposure during the second trimesters (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00-1.34). Intrauterine growth retardation was affected by the first trimester's PM10 exposure. On the other hand, premature birth was affected by the PM10 exposure during the third trimester, and low-birth-weight births were affected by the PM10 level during entire trimesters of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
: PM10 exposure during pregnancy may result in adverse birth outcomes with different critical periods.
Kim
Ok-Jin
OJ
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Ha
Eun-Hee
EH
Kim
Byung-Mi
BM
Seo
Ju-Hee
JH
Park
Hye-Sook
HS
Jung
Woo-Jae
WJ
Lee
Bo-Eun
BE
Suh
Young-Ju
YJ
Kim
Young-Ju
YJ
Lee
Jong-Tae
JT
Kim
Ho
H
Hong
Yun-Chul
YC
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter