Exposure of pregnant mothers to air pollution is often associated with adverse health effects on newborns. However, there is little research on this subject. The research conducted at UPV / EHU ended with a paper published in the journal. Environmental research The most sensitive stages to air pollution are early and late pregnancy.
According to recent research Air pollution Affects the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating fetal growth and metabolism and plays an important role in neurological development. Thyroxine (T4) is the main thyroid gland hormone it is circulating and the thyroid stimulating hormone is TSH.
In 48 hours, the newborn will undergo a heel prick test. Thyroxine TSH levels in the blood are measured.In fact, these balances Thyroid hormone If not correct, there is an increased risk of developing a serious illness. Therefore, “This study aims to analyze the relationship between air pollution during pregnancy and thyroxine levels in newborns,” said Amaia Irizar-Loibide, a researcher in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at UPV / EHU. Explained.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)and Particulate matter Less than 2.5 Minecraft in diameter (PM2.5) Are two major pollutants related to air pollution and vehicle traffic.afternoon2.5 For example, the particles are very fine and easy to enter the airways.
“This study specifically analyzed the effects of maternal exposure to these microparticles. Nitrogen dioxide Association with thyroxine levels during pregnancy and in newborns. We monitor weekly because fetal development varies greatly from week to week. So we tried to do as much detail as possible to find the most sensitive week of pregnancy, “added UPV / EHU researchers.
Therefore, we analyzed a sample of Gipuzkoa’s INMA (Environment and Childhood) project.Data on air pollutant PM2.5 And no2Data on TSH and T4 levels from newborn heels, etc. collected in the project were also used.
According to Irizar, “The results of this study are: Direct relationship Between exposure to microparticles during pregnancy and neonatal thyroxine levels. However, no clear association with exposure to nitrogen dioxide has been observed. Therefore, these results are consistent with limited previous studies. It directly affects the balance of thyroid hormones. These babies tend to have low levels of thyroxine. It was found that this relationship gradually diminished as the pregnancy progressed. In other words, mother’s exposure gradually becomes less important. However, in late pregnancy, this association becomes apparent again, but with the opposite effect. It was found that increasing the concentration of these particles also increased the level of thyroid hormone, which had the opposite effect on balance. The mechanism behind all of these is not clear. In any case, we have come to the conclusion that the most sensitive gestation period for air pollution is the beginning and end of the month,“ emphasized UPV / EHU researchers.
“The next challenge is these Fine particles It causes opposite effects in early and late pregnancy. In fact, these particles are just small spheres made of carbon, and it’s not clear if these spheres are effective in moving from the placenta to the baby or if other components attached to the particles are released. There is none. I got into my body … “she explained. pregnancy Not only affect Thyroid In addition to hormones, there are other aspects such as neuropsychological development, growth, and obesity,“ explained Irizar.