Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and birth outcomes: exposure windows of susceptibility and socioeconomic inequalities

We aimed (i) to assess the relationship of pregnancy-average particulate matter (PM) exposure with birthweight, birthweight at term, low birthweight at term, small for gestational age, and preterm birth, (ii) to identify critical windows of susceptibility to PM exposure across pregnancy on birthweight and small for gestational age, and (iii) to assess the presence of socioeconomic inequalities on these associations. We established a population-based, nationwide cohort using the Spanish birth registry between 2004 and 2016 (N = 3,678,445). We estimated daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations for the entire pregnancy at the maternal residential address at child’s delivery using spatiotemporal land use random-forest models. Linear, logistic, and distributed lag linear models were used for the different analysis. All models were stratified by maternal educational level and area-level deprivation index. Mean PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations during pregnancy were 25.1 and 12.7 µg/m³, respectively. Higher pregnancy-average PM₁₀ concentrations were associated with lower birthweight and increased odds of preterm birth (-7.1 g [95%CI -8.5; -5.7] and OR 1.04 [95%CI 1.02; 1.05], respectively, per 10 µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀). Similar results were found for PM_2.5, in particular for levels above 10 µg/m³. These associations were stronger in infants born to mothers with lower education, particularly when combined with residence in more deprived areas. We observed some windows of susceptibility to PM₁₀ for birthweight, mainly in the third trimester of pregnancy, with a similar pattern across socioeconomic levels. We did not observe windows of susceptibility to PM_2.5. Structural policies to reduce exposure to current PM levels in pregnant women and socioeconomic inequalities are needed.