Abstract:
Objective By reviewing existing literature and conducting a meta-analysis, this study aimed to investigate the critical window(s) of exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopmental impairments and provide a reference basis for individual-level protection against PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy.
Methods All literature on the associations between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and offspring neurodevelopmental impairments were searched from the three English databases including PubMed, Elsevier’s ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Studies reporting odds ratio (OR) values for exposure during the first, second, and third trimesters, according to predetermined criteria, were selected for meta-analysis.
Results A total of 14 studies were included in the final analysis. The meta-analysis of the extracted ORs revealed significant associations between PM2.5 exposure during all three trimesters and offspring neurodevelopmental impairments. The critical window showing the strongest association was observed during the second trimester (OR=1.11, 95%CI: 1.04‒1.18), followed by the first trimester (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.04‒1.15) and the third trimester (OR=1.09, 95%CI: 1.02‒1.16).
Conclusion PM2.5 exposure during all gestational periods was positively correlated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments in offspring, with the strongest association observed during the second trimester. This period warrants targeted protective measurements for prenatal PM2.5 exposure.
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