Determinants of carbon load in airway macrophages in pregnant women

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The airway macrophages carbon loading (AMCL) has been suggested to be a biomarker of the long-term exposure air pollution; however, date no study characterized AMCL for pregnancy period. Therefore, this aimed assess determinants during in Iran, middle-income country. METHODS: This was based on sample 234 pregnant women with term and normal vaginal delivery who were residing Sabzevar, Iran (2019). Image analysis applied calculate area (µm2) as an indicator AMCL. Measuring performed by two independent investigators checked third investigator reduce measurement bias. We 35 potential personal pollution each participant, including six personal, nine indoor, 20 home-outdoor factors. Deletion/Substitution/Addition algorithm identify most relevant that could predict levels. RESULTS: median (IQR) level 0.12 (0.30) µm2 successful sputum induction 82.9% (194) participants. Ambient residential PM2.5 levels positively associated higher On other hand, increased distance traffic lights, squares ring-roads, duration opening window per day, cooking inversely CONCLUSIONS: is first characterize pregnancy. Moreover, one largest reported studies characterization Furthermore, explore indoor outdoor determinates LMIC. Our findings provide novel insights different KEYWORDS: Air pollution, Pregnancy, Biomarker, Lung