Esha Mohite, MGM’s College of Engineering and Technology
Effect of pollution on baby’s general development:
The bond between a mother and her baby is powerful like no other. A baby’s first-ever human contact is with its mother. The mother’s body nourishes its baby and protects it. The placental cord plays a significant role in developing physical contact between a mother and the fetus. It provides the baby with nutrients required for its growth, exchanges gases, and aids in disposing of its wastes.
Whatever external factors affect the mother, may eventually affect the baby too. This is often why an expecting mother is suggested to be mindful of the activities she engages in and to spend her time in a clean, hygienic environment.
Many studies have been conducted to determine the consequences of varied external as well as internal factors on the baby’s development.
One such external factor is the quality of air a mother is exposed to. Unclean, polluted air has many adverse effects on a baby’s development. It is shown to cause:
- Stunted growth of the baby
- Incomplete development of lungs
- Preterm labor
- Stillbirth
- Congenital abnormalities
- Inadequate levels of thyroxine within the baby
What is Thyroxine?
Thyroxine is the primary hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It plays a major role in the development of the brain, maintenance of bones, and regulates the body’s metabolism.
The condition caused by decreased production of thyroxine by the thyroid gland is known as hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones, especially thyroxine, are essential for physical and mental development. An untreated hypothyroidism during the gestation period or childhood can cause mental impairment and reduced growth.
Research by UPV/EHU:
Recently, research was carried out by UPV/EHU to check the effect of major air pollutants like fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, on fetal growth. These particles are less than 2.5 Micra in diameter, and hence easily enter the respiratory system. It has shown major effects on thyroxine levels in the baby. In this study, data on the air pollutants PM2.5 and NO2, data on TSH and T4 levels from neonatal heels collected in the project were also used.
The researchers involved during this study observed the effect of the above-mentioned pollutants on fetal growth. As informed by one of the researchers, they specifically analyzed the effect of maternal exposure to these fine particles and nitrogen dioxide during pregnancy. They found out a striking link existing with thyroxine levels in newborn babies. They monitored the changes in fetal growth every week.
“The development of the fetus varies greatly from one week to the subsequent. So we tried to conduct the most detailed research possible to seek out the foremost sensitive weeks of pregnancy”, said Amaia Irizar, a UPV/EHU researcher.
Conclusion
The study revealed a direct link between the presence of particles and thyroxine levels in the fetuses. The study revealed that their exposure during the primary months of pregnancy encompasses a direct influence on the balance of thyroid hormones.
It was also found out that the babies tend to own lower levels of thyroxine. It was also revealed that in late pregnancy, an increase in particles caused an increase in thyroid hormones.
After this extensive study, it has been concluded by the research team that the most sensitive period in pregnancy, in terms of atmospheric pollution, are the initial and late months of gestation.
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References:
- Irizar, A., Txintxurreta, A., Molinuevo, A., Jimeno-Romero, A., Anabitarte, A., Álvarez, J. I., Martínez, M. D., Santa-Marina, L., Ibarluzea, J., & Lertxundi, A. (2021). Association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and newborn thyroxine (T4) levels. Environmental Research, 197, 111132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111132
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