Maternal exposures to ambient carbon particulate pollution and the risk of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia: a retrospective cohort study in Beijing, China, 2014-2018.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the impact of ambient carbon particles on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and evaluate whether the associations differed by maternal characteristics.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was constructed based on data from the Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Beijing, China. A total of 41 374 participants with last menstrual period dates between 2014 and 2018 were included. Black carbon (BC), ultraviolet light absorbing particulate matter (UVPM), delta carbon (Delta-C) and brown carbon (BrC) were measured at a fixed air monitoring site. Source contributions to BC were analysed using the Aethalometer model. Delta-C has been used as a specific indicator for wood-smoke pollution, and both UVPM and BrC represent a typical cluster of organic fractions. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between carbon particle exposure and gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia risk and identify sensitive windows.

RESULTS

We observed that pre-eclampsia risk was associated with UVPM and Delta-C exposure during the first trimester, with ORs per IQR increase in exposure being 1.27 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.58), and 1.60 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.94), respectively. Pre-eclampsia risk was associated with BC, UVPM, Delta-C and BrC exposure 3 months before conception. No significant associations were found between carbon particles and gestational hypertension. Stronger associations were observed for BC from traffic sources. Subgroup analyses indicated greater risks among participants who were over 30 years old, weighed over 60 kg and were nulliparous.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that carbon particle exposure may be associated with increased pre-eclampsia risk during early pregnancy, highlighting the importance of anthropogenic emission control for reducing adverse health impacts.