The recent analysis of “Suggestive evidence” says that air pollution increases risks of stillbirth that can happen in pregnancy`s third trimester. About 2.6 million stillbirths are seen in 2015 which happened in the 28th week of pregnancy says the report.
A 4 microgram per cubic meter exposure increases a small particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Exposure to particles less than or equal to 10 also showed to be linked to the increase of risks.
From the past studies that looked into the link between stillbirths and air pollution is up until 2015. Three studies from Asia and United states were left due to variations in pollutant types and designs of their study.
“If the evidence of an association between ambient air population and stillbirth is confirmed in future studies, it would be of major public health importance,” said Pedersen.
She added that, “stillbirth is one of global health’s “most neglected tragedies” in recent times, and that the mounting evidence showing the link between air pollution and stillbirths warrant further investigations”.
“Further studies with better measures of air pollution, potential confounders and effect modifiers, are highly recommended to confirm or refute that exposure to ambient air pollution triggers stillbirth,” added Pedersen.
In connection with Lancet stillbirth series 2016, there are about 2.6 million stillbirths that took place every year and 98 percent of these cases are observed among low and middle-income countries.