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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Smoking and Nicotine Detoxification | Research article

Association between maternal exposure to indoor air pollution and offspring congenital heart disease: a case–control study in East China

Authors: Jing Sun, Jian Wang, Jing Yang, Xin Shi, Shujing Li, Jinping Cheng, Sun Chen, Kun Sun, Yurong Wu

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Previous research suggested an association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, the effect of individual prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants on CHD occurrence was not reported.

Methods

We performed a hospital-based case–control study to investigate the association between personal air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of CHD in offspring. A total of 44 cases and 75 controls were included from two hospitals in East China. We investigated maternal and residential environmental characteristics using a questionnaire and obtained personal indoor air samples to assess particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 22–30 gestational weeks. Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), PM2.5, and PM10 were assessed. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations and interactions between individual indoor air pollutants and CHD after adjusting for confounders. The potential residential environmental factors affecting the risks of indoor air pollutants on CHD were also assessed.

Results

Median TVOC (0.400 vs. 0.005 mg/m3, P < 0.001) exposure levels in cases were significantly higher than controls. A logistic regression model adjusted for confounders revealed that exposure to high levels of indoor TVOCs (AOR 7.09, 95% CI 2.10–23.88) during pregnancy was associated with risks for CHD and the occurrence of some major CHD subtype in offspring. These risk effects were enhanced in pregnant women living in a newly renovated house but were mitigated by household use of smoke ventilators when cooking. We observed a positive interaction of maternal exposure to TVOCs and PM2.5 and the risk for CHD.

Conclusions

Maternal exposure to indoor VOCs and PMs may increase the risk of giving birth to foetuses with CHD.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Association between maternal exposure to indoor air pollution and offspring congenital heart disease: a case–control study in East China
Authors
Jing Sun
Jian Wang
Jing Yang
Xin Shi
Shujing Li
Jinping Cheng
Sun Chen
Kun Sun
Yurong Wu
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13174-0

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