Research Projects

The putative role of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy resulting in Low Birth Weight (LBW) has been assessed in several studies. The suggested mechanisms mediating this path include oxidative stress resulting in placental and endothelial dysfunction, and damage in the DNA productivity. Specifically, exposure to particulate matter during pregnancy induces changes in multiple placental compartments, including the maternal vascular space, fetal capillaries, and surface exchange areas. These alterations in placental function were associated with a higher incidence of LBW among exposed fetuses. The poor nutrition accentuates the propensity of a baby to be LBW and subsequent inadequate development of pancreatic beta cell mass resulting in a higher risk of development of type 2 diabetes in future. Available evidence suggests that several environmental factors induce intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and subsequent LBW in newborns. These include diabetes, hormone exposure, air pollution, psychosocial stressors and hypoxia. A cohort study is an efficient study design to assess the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and infant health outcomes. The study is planned in urban slums of Bangalore. Total targeted sample size is 516 pregnant women residing at the slums. Air pollution assessment is done during second and third trimester of pregnancy. Pollutants such are particulate matter less than 2.5 microns, particulate matter less than 10 microns and carbon monoxide are measured during pregnancy using personal samplers for 24-hr. All study participants are followed up until delivery and their infants are followed up at 6th and 18th months irrespective of the exposure status. The current study aim to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to ambient and indoor air pollutants and low birth weight in newborns.