The risk of air pollution on the growth of a child persists until puberty

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – According to a recent US study, particulate particles suspended in the air inhaled by pregnant women can damage the heart and blood vessels and affect the growth of the fetus in the womb.
The study was conducted by researchers from Rutgers University and published in the latest issue of the journal "Cardiovascular Toxins".
The researchers explained that the mother's cardiovascular systems were strongly affected during the first two thirds of pregnancy because of inhaled pollutants.
To achieve the results of the study, the team tracked the status of a group of mice during pregnancy, studied the rates of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and the extent of growth contaminated embryos.
The researchers found that exposure to pollutants in early pregnancy significantly affected the mother's blood circulation, especially the main artery and umbilical cord, compared to the other group .
Triglyceride exposure had more influence on fetal size during the last trimester, as the mother's restricted blood flow deprives the fetus of nutrients that increase its prenatal weight.