Maternal exposure to PM2.5 and its components and risk of small for gestational age in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a propensity score-matched case-control study in Guangzhou, China.
10 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Maternal and Children Health Care Hospital (Huzhong Hospital) of Huadu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510800, China.
- 2Department of Pediatrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China.
- 3Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China.
- 4Division of Neonatology, The Maternal and Children Health Care Hospital（Huzhong Hospital) of Huadu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510800, China.
- 5Maternal & Child Health Research Institute, Zhuhai Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to South China University of Technology, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519001, China.
- 6Department of Clinical Laboratory, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China. [email protected].
- 7Division of Neonatology, The Maternal and Children Health Care Hospital（Huzhong Hospital) of Huadu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510800, China. [email protected].
- 8Department of Pediatrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China. [email protected].
- 9Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China. [email protected].
- 10Department of Neonatology, Xinyi People's Hospital, Xinyi, Guangdong, 525300, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Pregnant women conceiving via in vitro fertilization (IVF) represent a uniquely vulnerable population, yet the impact of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its specific chemical components on their fetal growth remains under-researched. This study aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its key components-sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), ammonium (NH4⁺), organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC)-with the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) in IVF pregnancies.Methods
A propensity score-matched case-control study was conducted in Guangzhou, China. From a source population of 1,459 women who conceived via IVF, 166 SGA cases were identified and matched 1:1 with controls. Exposure to PM2.5 and its components was estimated using time-weighted average concentrations for each trimester and the entire pregnancy. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), and mixture analyses were employed to identify the dominant pollutants driving the observed risks.Results
Exposure to PM2.5 during the second trimester (OR = 1.082, 95% CI: 1.005-1.165) and third trimester (OR = 1.075, 95% CI: 1.002-1.154), and the entire pregnancy (OR = 1.124, 95% CI: 1.015-1.245) was significantly associated with an increased risk of SGA. Significant positive associations were also observed for SO₄²⁻, OM, and BC. Notably, mixture analyses identified NO₃⁻ as the primary driver of SGA risk. Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed no significant associations with these pollutants.Conclusions
Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its components, particularly secondary inorganic aerosols and carbonaceous species, is significantly associated with impaired fetal growth in IVF-conceived pregnancies. These findings emphasize the need for component-specific air quality guidelines and targeted interventions to protect this high-risk population during critical gestational windows.
Related
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- The comparison between short-term fertilization and conventional fertilization in in vitro fertilization treatment: a propensity score matching study.
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- Plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol in a French population of women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a monocentric non-interventional study
- Key Components of Prenatal Nutrition Education Interventions to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
BibTeX
@article{liu2026maternal,
title = {{Maternal exposure to PM2.5 and its components and risk of small for gestational age in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a propensity score-matched case-control study in Guangzhou, China.}},
author = {Weiqi Liu and Mengxian Liu and Yaoxiang Tang and Shiqi Yang and Fei Ma and Qiuzheng Yue and Weiling Liu and Guiying Zhuang and Sitao Li},
journal = {BMC public health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28800-4},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42919280},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Maternal exposure to PM2.5 and its components and risk of small for gestational age in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a propensity score-matched case-control study in Guangzhou, China.
AU - Weiqi Liu
AU - Mengxian Liu
AU - Yaoxiang Tang
AU - Shiqi Yang
AU - Fei Ma
AU - Qiuzheng Yue
AU - Weiling Liu
AU - Guiying Zhuang
AU - Sitao Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC public health
DO - 10.1186/s12889-026-28800-4
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42919280
AB - Background Pregnant women conceiving via in vitro fertilization (IVF) represent a uniquely vulnerable population, yet the impact of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its specific chemical components on their fetal growth remains under-researched. This study aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its key components-sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), ammonium (NH4⁺), organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC)-with the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) in IVF pregnancies.Methods A propensity score-matched case-control study was conducted in Guangzhou, China. From a source population of 1,459 women who conceived via IVF, 166 SGA cases were identified and matched 1:1 with controls. Exposure to PM2.5 and its components was estimated using time-weighted average concentrations for each trimester and the entire pregnancy. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), and mixture analyses were employed to identify the dominant pollutants driving the observed risks.Results Exposure to PM2.5 during the second trimester (OR = 1.082, 95% CI: 1.005-1.165) and third trimester (OR = 1.075, 95% CI: 1.002-1.154), and the entire pregnancy (OR = 1.124, 95% CI: 1.015-1.245) was significantly associated with an increased risk of SGA. Significant positive associations were also observed for SO₄²⁻, OM, and BC. Notably, mixture analyses identified NO₃⁻ as the primary driver of SGA risk. Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed no significant associations with these pollutants.Conclusions Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its components, particularly secondary inorganic aerosols and carbonaceous species, is significantly associated with impaired fetal growth in IVF-conceived pregnancies. These findings emphasize the need for component-specific air quality guidelines and targeted interventions to protect this high-risk population during critical gestational windows.
SN - 1471-2458
ER -