Exposure to fine particle matter (PM2.5) is linked to lower levels of vitamin D in pregnant women, finds a new ATHLETE study. Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may lead to complications and increase a child’s risk of developing various health issues, such as poor bone health, asthma, and type I diabetes.
Researchers at ISGlobal, ATHLETE’s coordinating partner, studied data from nearly 16,000 pregnant women from eight cohorts across Europe and the US. They estimated the average concentrations of common air pollutants near the participants’ homes to measure their exposure to air pollution. Vitamin D levels of the pregnant women involved in the study were measured through blood tests early on or in the middle of their pregnancies.
The study found that fine air particles, defined as particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometres and can enter the bloodstream, were associated with vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women.
“We need more research to better understand how air pollution affects vitamin D levels. It is possible that air pollutants block sunlight or alter how our body absorbs vitamin D. Another possibility is that due to increasing awareness of the harmful effects of air pollution, pregnant women are choosing to stay indoors during periods of heavy pollution and therefore being exposed to less sunlight,” says Anne-Claire Binter, first author of the study and researcher at ISGlobal.
“Our findings suggest that fine particle air pollution may be linked to low levels of vitamin D in pregnancy. Addressing air pollution should be a priority for policymakers to protect both mothers and children from health effects linked to vitamin D deficiency, ” says Anne-Claire Binter, first author of the study and researcher at ISGlobal.
Reference
Anne-Claire Binter et al. Associations of Gestational Exposure to Air Pollution With Maternal Vitamin D Levels: A Meta-Analysis, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2024 https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae395