Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : December 23, 2014 11:15 PM IST
A study has now suggested that environmental pollution, especially high exposure to air pollution during pregnancy increases risk of congenital malformations. A recent study by Tel Aviv University came up with this conclusion.
What did the study indicate?
Our results suggest that exposure to higher levels of air pollution during pregnancy is associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes, said professor Liat Lerner-Geva from the university's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and School of Public Health. For the study, the research team analysed data on 216,730 people born in Israel between 1997 and 2004.
Air pollution data was obtained from air-monitoring stations for the study period. Using a geographic information system, exposure to air pollution during both the first trimester and the entire pregnancy was assessed for each woman according to her place of residence.
What did the study conclude?
They found that exposure to air pollutants throughout full-term pregnancies were associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations, with specific defects evident in the circulatory system and genital organs. Know why smoking during pregnancy is harmful.
They also discovered that exposure to air pollution was associated, although not significantly, with a higher risk of congenital defects. The database will serve as a basis for a future larger study to identify susceptible sub-populations at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the authors concluded.
What are the other things that could harm the baby apart from air pollution?
Below is a list of things you should keep a distance from during your pregnancy to ensure the safety of your child.
Harmful radiations: The photocopying machine at your office emits harmful ozone vapours, your laptop and smartphone emits low grade radiations throughout. All electronic items send out radiations which are known to cause intrauterine growth retardation and interfere with the brain development of the fetus. However, know that the exposure levels have to be really high to cause any noticeable damage in your baby, says Sonali Shivlani, an Internationally Certified Pregnancy, Lactation and Child Nutrition Counselor. As a precautionary measure limit your usage of electronic items during your pregnancy.
Passive smoking: Second-hand smoke is as bad as smoking during pregnancy. So ask your spouse to stay away from you while he smokes and avoid visiting the smoking zone in your office.
Pets: The fur shed by your pet could possibly lead to respiratory infection during your pregnancy which can harm the fetus. Cleaning the litter of your pet, especially, your cat or your dog, can increase your chances of getting infected with toxoplasmosis, an infection that is transmitted from the faeces of diseased animals. If you pick up an infection chances are that you can pass on the infection to your baby escalating the chances of a stillbirth or a miscarriage. To avoid this occurrence make sure that you take your pet to a veterinary doctor before planning your pregnancy. Here are few things in the environment that could harm your baby.
The research was published in the journal Environmental Research.
Image courtesy: Getty Images
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