According to a recent study, women in polluted areas have smaller babies than those in greener areas.
The European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy, found that women in greener areas had babies with 27g heavier birth weights.
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Lung development is crucial during pregnancy. Low-birth-weight babies are more susceptible to chest infections, which can lead to asthma and COPD, said Robin Mzati Sinsamala, a researcher in the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen (UiB) in Norway.
“We found that pregnant women exposed to air pollution, even at low levels, have smaller babies. They also recommend living in a greener area to mitigate this effect. Green spaces may have less traffic, reduce pollution, or make it easier for pregnant women to exercise, he said.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Estonia were studied with 4,286 children and mothers.
Researchers considered mother’s age, smoking status, and other health conditions when comparing babies’ birth weights. They also record vegetation density and air pollution.
Researchers advised reducing air pollution and greening cities to protect babies and their developing lungs.
