A groundbreaking study conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddrb) has unearthed a concerning link between air pollution and the rise in low birth weight and premature babies. With approximately 573,000 premature births annually in the country, these infants account for a staggering 22% of the under-five mortality rate.
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, urgent measures are required to decrease the under-five mortality rate from 31 to 25 per 1,000, and neonatal mortality from 20 to 12 per 1,000.
The research focused on 3,206 newborns in Dhaka, revealing a higher incidence of low birth weight among mothers exposed to elevated air pollution levels during pregnancy. Mothers facing increased pollution exposure also demonstrated a heightened risk of premature birth.
Mahin Al Nahian, head of the research team at icddrb, commented, “We have observed that mothers exposed to relatively high pollution levels are giving birth to low birth weight babies. The rate of preterm birth is also high among them.”
Utilizing air pollution data from the Department of Environment and maternal/newborn data from the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Azimpur, Dhaka, the study found that low birth weight (less than 2,500 grams) occurred in 20% of mothers with minimal pollution exposure. In contrast, mothers with higher pollution exposure exhibited a 36% low birth weight rate.
Dr. Lelin Chowdhury, a preventive medicine specialist, highlighted the detrimental impact of air pollution on fetal development, stating, “Air pollution or ultra-fine particles in the air hinder the development of the fetus, affecting reproductive health significantly, leading to miscarriages, babies born with defects, and impacts on the nervous system.”
Dr. Kamrul Islam Sabuj, associate professor of the Neo Natology Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, stressed the importance of measures to reduce infant mortality, including antenatal corticosteroids, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), and prompt treatment of sick infants. Government initiatives such as Scano and Kangaroo Mother Care have been established to address the care of premature babies. As the study sheds light on this critical issue, urgent actions are needed to mitigate the impact of air pollution on maternal and child health.
