Experts Talk About Air Pollution: How It Affects Pregnancy, And Its Long-Term Health Effects on Children

Certain parts of India such as Delhi and Mumbai are grappling with severe pollution issues and the current air quality in these cities is an absolute matter of concern. Dr Ruchi Bhandari, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, says, “Air pollution can cause serious health and environment hazards to pregnant women and unborn babies with long-term health consequences to children and all other living beings.” She further added, “Exposure to air pollution throughout the first 1,000 days of life may be particularly important for children’s long-term health. Air pollution may indirectly harm lung development by causing low birth weight, preterm labour, early or miscarriage, sometimes stillbirth, or improper immune system development.” Dr. Bhandari also shed some light on the fact that the major impact of air pollution is pregnancy during the prenatal period may interfere with organ development and organogenesis pollutants in the air contain particles known as PM2.5. Dr. Ankur Sethi, Head – of Paediatrics & Neonatology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida stated, “As we speak about the hazardous effects of air pollution on pregnant women and new-borns, the current air pollution, specifically, can adversely affect a mother’s health in various ways, leading to lung problems, breathing difficulties, and blood-related issues, all of which can have negative consequences for the baby.” He added, “Concerning the baby’s health, infants who are exposed to air pollution through their mothers during pregnancy may develop birth defects, congenital issues, premature births, and low birth weight. Thus in view of rising air pollution can have negative health consequences leading to preterm birth, Low birth weight, stillbirth or congenital abnormalities, and High BP.