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Maternal exposure to indoor PM2.5 and associated adverse birth outcomes in low socio-economic households, Durban, South Africa.

The association between in utero exposure to indoor PM2.5 and birth outcomes is not conclusive. We assessed the association between in utero exposure to indoor PM2.5 , birth weight, gestational age, low birth weight, and/or preterm delivery. Homes of 800 pregnant women were assessed using a structured walkthrough questionnaire. PM2.5 measurements were undertaken in 300 of the 800 homes for a period of 24 h. Repeated sampling was conducted in 30 of these homes to determine PM2.5 predictors that can reduce within-and/or between-home variability. A predictive model was used to estimate PM2.5 levels in unmeasured homes (n = 500). The mean (SD) for PM2.5 was 37 µg/m3 (29) with a median of 28µg/m3 . The relationship between PM2.5 exposure, birth weight, gestational age, low birth weight, and preterm delivery was assessed using multivariate linear and logistic regression models. We explored infant sex as a potential effect modifier, by creating an interaction term between PM2.5 and infant sex. The odds ratio of low birth weight and preterm delivery was 1.75 (95%CI: 1.47, 2.09) and 1.21 (95%CI: 1.06, 1.39), respectively, per interquartile increase (18 µg/m3 ) in PM2.5 exposure. The reduction in birth weight and gestational age was 75 g (95%CI: 107.89, 53.15) and 0.29 weeks (95%CI: 0.40, 0.19) per interquartile increase in PM2.5 exposure. Infant sex was an effect modifier for PM2.5 on birth weight and gestational age, and the reduction in birth weight and gestational age was 103 g (95%CI: 142.98, 64.40) and 0.38 weeks (95% CI: 0.53, 0.23), respectively, for boys, and 54 g (95%CI: 91.78,15.62) and 0.23 weeks (95%CI:0.37, 0.08), respectively, for girls. Exposure to PM2.5 is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. To protect the population during their reproductive period, public health policy should focus on indoor PM2.5 levels.