AUTHOR=Huang Zhimeng , Qiu Yue , Qi Jiawen , Ma Xiaohui , Cheng Qiliang , Wu Jinzhun 

TITLE=Association between air pollutants and birth defects in Xiamen, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1132885

DOI=10.3389/fped.2023.1132885

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>To explore the relationship between common air pollution and common birth defects, and to provide reference for the prevention of birth defects.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>We conducted a case-control study in Xiamen, a city in southeastern China from 2019 to 2020. Logistics regression was used to analyze the relationship between sulfur dioxide(SO<sub>2</sub>), fine particulate matter 2.5(PM<sub>2.5</sub>), nitrogen dioxide(NO<sub>2</sub>), ozone(O<sub>3</sub>), carbon monoxide(CO) and the occurrence of common birth defects such as congenital heart disease, facial cleft, and finger deformity.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>SO<sub>2</sub> significantly increased the risk of birth defects such as congenital heart disease, cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and ear deformity in the first and second months of pregnancy.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>Exposure to common air pollutants increases the risk of birth defects, and SO<sub>2</sub> significantly affects the occurrence of birth defects in the first two months of pregnancy.</p></sec>