According to a study by The Lancet, poor air quality has been associated with pregnancy loss in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh from 2000-2016.
The epidemiological case-control study is the first such research in looking at the link between exposure among mothers to ambient particulate matter (PM 2.5) and pregnancy loss, which included stillbirths and miscarriages.
"South Asia has the highest burden of pregnancy loss globally and is one of the most PM2.5 polluted regions in the world," said study lead author Tao Xue, from Peking University, China, reported PTI.
Globally, south Asia is the most populous region in the world, and has the highest rate of pregnancy loss. Therefore, understanding the risk factors for pregnancy loss in south Asia is crucial for planning effective interventions and thus mitigating the global pregnancy loss burden.
“Our findings suggest that a considerable proportion of the pregnancy loss burden in south Asia is attributable to exposure to ambient PM2· and that improving air quality would promote maternal and infant health globally,” the report states.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)