Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 9: Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may cause significantly greater harm than previously understood, according to a new study by researchers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The study found that polluted air can damage the placenta, restrict fetal growth and increase the risk of serious pregnancy complications, while potentially affecting a child's development even after birth.

Published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, the research combined laboratory experiments, animal studies and data from human pregnancies to examine the effects of urban air pollution.

Researchers discovered that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5 and PM10, can cross the placental barrier, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. This process can impair the placenta's ability to supply oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus.

The study found that exposure to particulate matter disrupted several key placental functions, including blood vessel formation, nutrient transport and healthy fetal development. As a result, unborn babies may face an increased risk of growth restrictions before birth.

To further assess the impact, researchers analysed data from 994 pregnancies across regions with varying levels of air pollution. The findings showed that higher exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and Preeclampsia, a potentially serious condition characterised by high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Corresponding author Subhradip Karmakar said the study revealed that pollution particles could breach the placental barrier and influence genes responsible for fetal growth.

"We also found evidence of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and antimony accumulating in placental tissue, suggesting that pollutants can reach the fetus and potentially influence growth and neurodevelopment," he said.

According to the researchers, the accumulation of these toxic metals raises concerns about the long-term health consequences of prenatal exposure to polluted air.

One of the study's most significant findings involved a gene known as IGFBP3, which plays a crucial role in fetal development. Researchers found that inflammation triggered by air pollution can suppress the gene, potentially disrupting placental development and affecting healthy fetal growth.

The team also conducted experiments on pregnant rats exposed to urban particulate matter. The animals showed smaller litter sizes, abnormal placental development, reduced birth weights and slower growth among offspring.

Researchers further observed behavioural and developmental changes in offspring after birth, suggesting that the effects of pollution exposure during pregnancy may extend well beyond the prenatal period.

The findings add to growing evidence that air pollution is not only linked to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses but also poses serious risks to maternal and child health.

The researchers stressed the need for stronger pollution-control measures, particularly in urban areas where pregnant women are routinely exposed to elevated levels of particulate matter. They noted that improving air quality could play a critical role in safeguarding both present and future generations.