Air Pollution's Devastating Impact on Fetal Development: A Threat to Newborn Health

Air pollution starts its impact even before the baby is born, says Dr Zafar Ahmad Iqbal, director, Pulmonology, Critical Care, and Sleep Studies, Fortis Hospital, Mohali. It causes poor lung development, low birth weight, premature birth and increases the risk of infant mortality. It occurs due to the passage of large particulate matter through the placental barrier. After birth, it leads to delayed milestones and poor development of the child’s respiratory system, making the child vulnerable to repeated respiratory infections, pneumonias and very poor lung function. The child develops breathing issues and becomes vulnerable to developing asthma and allergies. Air pollution also impacts the impaired neurocognitive development of the child. It also puts them at risk of developing chronic illnesses later in life, like diabetes and heart disease. “Air pollutants cross over the placental barrier and cause delayed lung maturity and poor growth of lungs and other visceral organ systems. It negatively impacts the lung functions. Air pollution would make the newborn with compromised lungs vulnerable to catching respiratory infections, pneumonias and may lead to complications like ARDS and Respiratory Failure. It puts them at a risk of developing allergies and asthma,” explains Dr Iqbal. Particles and gaseous pollutants, he adds, can be inhaled by mothers into the bloodstream and impair the placental function by altering plasma viscosity, disturbing endothelial dysfunction, triggering intrauterine oxidative stress and inducing intrauterine inflammation. During the whole pregnancy, the above conditions might result in a decrease in transplacental oxygen and nutrient transport, chronically affecting various health outcomes related to newborns. The baby, once born, starts taking the air pollutants directly into the lungs after birth. Does the foetus inhale pollutants which penetrate the placenta?