May 25, 2016.
High exposure to pollution during pregnancy increases the risk of death in utero. A report published by British researchers encourages pregnant women to care more about their environment.
Pollution, a public health issue
Air pollution could be the cause of many deaths in utero. This is the conclusion reached by British researchers, who looked at the impact of air pollution on fetal development. By analyzing the results of 13 studies conducted on the subject, these scientists observed that a pregnant woman’s contact with this air pollution, especially during the third trimester of her pregnancy, increased the risk of stillbirth.
” Our results provide evidence to suggest that ambient air pollution is a factor in stillbirth “, Write these researchers, in their study published in the journal Occidental & Environmental Medicine. ” Pregnant women should be aware of the potentially dangerous effects of air pollution, although prevention against exposure to these pollutants requires action by governments rather than individuals “.
3,600 stillbirths in the UK
Scientists point out, however, that more research is needed to more accurately determine the impact of air pollution on fetal development. ” If proof of an association between ambient air pollution and the risk of stillbirth is officially provided, this will become a public health issue. », Commented Dr Marie Pedersen, of the Center for Epidemiology and Screening at the University of Copenhagen, in an editorial linked to this research. ” More studies, and more precise measurements of air quality […] are strongly recommended to confirm or deny These results, she added.
We talk about stillbirth when a fetus dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy. In the UK, these deaths occur once in every 200 pregnancies, i.e. 3,600 cases per year.
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