Risk Factors of the High-Risk Pregnancy and Association with Particulate Matter

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#High-risk pregnancy, resulting in major complications, such as abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor, are on the rise, requiring intervention. Increased concentration of particulate matter that is 10 μg per cubic meter or less in diameter (PM10) due to increased air pollution and industrialization has recently been noted as a risk factor for health problems, and prior studies have reported that PM10 is related to abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor. @*Methods@#This study used data from the Korean medical panel between 2008 and 2016 to identify 879 women with normal pregnancies and 301 women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies. The association between high-risk pregnancy and PM10 was analyzed using the annual average regional concentration during the same period by the Korea Environment Corporation. @*Results@#At 35 years of age or older, the risk of abortion (p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–2.71) and preterm labor increased (p<0.05; 95% CI, 0.33–0.90). Married pregnant women were at a high risk of preterm labor (p<0.05; 95% CI, 0.25–0.98), and the prevalence of gestational hypertension was high in the metropolitan area (p<0.05; 95% CI, 12.09–25.93). On comparing the average annual concentration of particulate matter according to the level of atmospheric ventilation of the Korea Environment Corporation using a cutoff of ≤50 μg/m3, the probability of preterm labor was 2.2 times higher in groups exposed to particulate matter concentration of ≥50 μg/m3 (p<0.01; 95% CI, 1.49–3.25). @*Conclusion@#PM10 was related to preterm labor, and the risk of preterm labor was high if the average annual concentration of PM10 in the individual’s residential area exceeded 50 μg/m3.