AIR POLLUTION AND PREGNANCY: A SILENT AND UNRECOGNIZED RISK FACTOR

Background: Pregnancy is a very delicate period of a woman’s health. Both the fetus and the pregnant woman are more susceptible to disease and more sensitive to various agents and external stimuli. The harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol in pregnancy have been well studied, with great divulgation and acceptance among the population. Another risk factor that has been discussed within the specialty is exposure to environmental pollution during pregnancy, which has been considered as a significant cause of child morbidity and mortality. Aim: Review the state of the art on the effects of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. Methods: Literature review in Pubmed, Uptodate, and Medscape using the Mesh-terms “Pregnancy” and “Air Pollution”. Guidelines, systematic reviews and original studies since 2010 were evaluated. Results: The results based on evidence demonstrates clear correlation between exposure to environmental pollution and low birth weight and preterm delivery, which may have future implications as reduced stature, increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. Recent studies have also revealed the association between air pollution and respiratory disease of the newborn, including asthma. Conclusion: One of the most important family physician role is related to disease prevention and health promotion. Thus, it is urgent that the follow-up of all pregnant women include the sharing of detailed information and an adequate clarification of the modifiable risk factors during pregnancy, as well as their respective consequences either in fetal health or the health of the pregnant woman.