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. 2021 May 6;10(5):732.
doi: 10.3390/antiox10050732.

Particulate Matter, an Intrauterine Toxin Affecting Foetal Development and Beyond

Hui Chen  1 , Brian G Oliver  1 , Anushriya Pant  2 , Annabel Olivera  1 , Philip Poronnik  2 , Carol A Pollock  3 , Sonia Saad  3
Affiliations

Particulate Matter, an Intrauterine Toxin Affecting Foetal Development and Beyond

Hui Chen et al. Antioxidants (Basel). .

Abstract

Air pollution is the 9th cause of the overall disease burden globally. The solid component in the polluted air, particulate matters (PMs) with a diameter of 2.5 μm or smaller (PM2.5) possess a significant health risk to several organ systems. PM2.5 has also been shown to cross the blood-placental barrier and circulate in foetal blood. Therefore, it is considered an intrauterine environmental toxin. Exposure to PM2.5 during the perinatal period, when the foetus is particularly susceptible to developmental defects, has been shown to reduce birth weight and cause preterm birth, with an increase in adult disease susceptibility in the offspring. However, few studies have thoroughly studied the health outcome of foetuses due to intrauterine exposure and the underlying mechanisms. This perspective summarises currently available evidence, which suggests that intrauterine exposure to PM2.5 promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in a similar manner as occurs in response to direct PM exposure. Oxidative stress and inflammation are likely to be the common mechanisms underlying the dysfunction of multiple systems, offering potential targets for preventative strategies in pregnant mothers for an optimal foetal outcome.

Keywords: PM; endocrine; foetal programming; in utero; neurological; preventative treatment; renal; respiratory.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed working mechanisms of how in-utero PM exposure leads to the future development of organ disorders.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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