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.