ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This retrospective observational study investigates the association between maternal exposure to air pollutants and pregnancy adverse outcomes in low urbanization areas. METHODS: We used multivariate regression analysis to estimate, in the Como province (2005-2012), the effects of NO(x), NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and PM10 on low birth weight (LBW), babies small for gestational age (SGA), and preterm birth (PTB). RESULTS: PTB was inversely associated with high (5.5âµg/m³) exposure to SO2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]â=â0.74, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]â=â0.58-0.95) and to CO (1.8âmg/m³, aORâ=â0.84, CIâ=â0.72-0.99). PTB risk increased with second trimester exposure to NO(x) (118.3âµg/m³, aORâ=â1.53, CIâ=â1.25-1.87), while LBW risk increased with third trimester PM10 (56.1âµg/m³, aORâ=â1.44, CIâ=â1.03-2.02). SGA was inversely associated with third trimester NO(x) (115.8âµg/m³, aORâ=â0.89, CIâ=â0.79-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to SO2 and CO seems to postpone delivery: a longer gestation could compensate for maternal hypoxemic-hypoxic damage.