"In Utero Exposure To Carbon Monoxide Increases Infants’ Risk Of Poor Lung Infection"
While household air pollution from solid fuel stoves has previously been associated with child mortality, this is the first study to investigate the association between household air pollution and lung development beginning in utero and to identify the most harmful times during pregnancy for exposure to this pollution. The study was presented at the 2018 American Thoracic Society International Conference. "Our research suggests that children, especially girls, born to mothers with increased household air pollution exposures during pregnancy have impaired lung function measurable at birth," said lead author Alison Lee, MD, MS, assistant professor of medicine, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Exposures during the second and third trimesters appear to have the largest impact. These findings have implications for future respiratory health." Dr. Lee added, "Women are commonly the primary cooks and continue to cook while pregnant, so a child's exposure to household air pollution begins in utero.”
- Alison Lee, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai