Twin growth discordance in association with maternal exposure to fine particulate matter and its chemical constituents during late pregnancy. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiao, Ping; Zhao, Yan; Cai, Jing; van Donkelaar, Aaron; Martin, Randall; Ying, Hao; Kan, Haidong
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 133(2019)Part A
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Ambient air pollution -- PM2.5 -- Chemical constituents -- Within-pair birth weight difference -- Twin growth discordance; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Twin growth discordance is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies. Whether prenatal exposure to fine particle (PM2.5 ) air pollution is associated with twin growth discordance have not been studied yet. Objective: To evaluate the associations of prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical constituents with twin growth discordance. Methods: This study included 1917 twin pairs and their mothers drawn from a previous twin birth cohort at the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant hospital in Shanghai, China. Exposure to PM2.5 total mass and 6 key chemical constituents during the whole pregnancy and each trimester of pregnancy was represented by satellite-based models. Results: Maternal exposures to PM2.5 total mass and chemical constituents of sulfate (SO4 2− ) and ammonium (NH4 + ) during the third trimester were significantly associated with increased within-pair birth weight difference and intertwin birth weight discordance. The within-pair birth weight difference increased by 30.6 g (β = 30.6, 95% CI, 4.4–56.9), 19.2 g (β = 19.2, 95% CI, 0.2–38.1) and 33.2 g (β = 33.2, 95% CI, 7.9–58.6) for an IQR increase in PM2.5 total mass, SO4 2− and NH4 + exposure, respectively. While the intertwin birth weight discordance increased by 1.3% (β = 1.3, 95% CI, 0.3–2.2), 0.9% (β = 0.9, 95% CI, 0.2–1.6) and 1.4% (β = 1.4, 95% CI, 0.4–2.3) for the same exposure metrics. Moreover, higher SO4 2− and NH4 + exposure was also associated with increased risk of twin growth discordance in linear dose-response manners. Compared to the lowest quartile of SO4 2− (OR = 2.51, 95% CI, 1.08–5.82) and NH4 + (OR = 2.97, 95% CI, 1.16–7.58) exposure, the odds of twin growth discordance were doubled in highest quartile of exposure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that fine particle air pollution may be a risk factor for twin growth discordance. Late pregnancy seems to be a critical window for the effects of PM2.5 exposure on fetal growth in twins. Highlights: We investigated effects of PM2.5 and its chemical constituents exposure on fetal growth in twins. Exposure to PM2.5 total mass, SO4 2- and NH4 + is associated with increased risk of twin growth discordance. Late pregnancy is a critical window for the effects of PM2.5 exposure on fetal growth in twins.