Prenatal Exposure to PM2.5 and Cardiac Vagal Tone during Infancy: Findings from a Multiethnic Birth Cohort

Abstract

Background:The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis and responding to external stimuli. In adults, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with reduced heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of cardiac autonomic control.Objectives:Our goal was to investigate the associations of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with HRV as an indicator of cardiac autonomic control during early development.Methods:We studied 237 maternal–infant pairs in a Boston-based birth cohort. We estimated daily residential PM2.5 using satellite data in combination with land-use regression predictors. In infants at 6 months of age, we measured parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity using continuous electrocardiogram monitoring during the Repeated Still-Face Paradigm, an experimental protocol designed to elicit autonomic reactivity in response to maternal interaction and disengagement. We used multivariable linear regression to examine average PM2.5 exposure across pregnancy in relation to PNS withdrawal and activation, indexed by changes in respiration-corrected respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSAnormalc)—an established metric of HRV that reflects cardiac vagal tone. We examined interactions with infant sex using cross-product terms.Results:In adjusted models we found that a 1-unit increase in PM2.5 (in micrograms per cubic meter) was associated with a 3.53% decrease in baseline RSAnormalc (95% CI: −6.96, 0.02). In models examining RSAnormalc change between episodes, higher PM2.5 was generally associated with reduced PNS withdrawal during stress and reduced PNS activation during recovery; however, these associations were not statistically significant. We did not observe a significant interaction between PM2.5 and sex.Discussion:Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 may disrupt cardiac vagal tone during infancy. Future research is needed to replicate these preliminary findings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4434

Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular diseases: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

“…Emerging evidence suggests that prenatal and postnatal PM 2.5 exposure can result in heart failure later in life [84]. A study conducted by Gorr et al.…”

“…Heart failure. Emerging evidence suggests that prenatal and postnatal PM 2.5 exposure can result in heart failure later in life [84]. A study conducted by Gorr et al in 2014 exposed female mice to PM 2.5 during pregnancy and found an association with reduced left ventricular fractional shortening with greater ventricular systolic diameter, reduced ejection fraction, and other indicators of cardiac dysfunction when compared to control mice during a postnatal time [85].…”

Role of atmospheric particulate matter exposure in COVID-19 and other health risks in human: A review

“…PM is one of the crucial air pollutants and found to cause a wide range of health effects in human ( Manojkumar and Srimuruganandam, 2021 ). Epidemiological studies have revealed a strong association between PM and diseases involving multiple organ system ( Cowell et al, 2019 ; Gu et al, 2020 ). For instance, the link between PM and the aggravation of respiratory illness such as, allergy and asthma has been well documented ( Chowdhury et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Besides, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has reported that PM in outdoor air pollution is a human carcinogen ( IARC, 2016 , Sun et al, 2018 ). Short term exposure to PM was significantly associated with acute cardiovascular risks like, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, hypertension and metabolic syndrome ( Chen et al, 2020a ; Cowell et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, PM could also accelerate the risk of neurological effects, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia ( Younan et al, 2020 ).…”

“… PM 2.5 North Carolina 2004 - 2016 35,084 heart failure patients Increased risk in individuals with cardiac failure Ward-Caviness et al (2020) 13. PM 2.5 Boston 2011 - 2012 237 maternal–infant pairs Disrupt cardiac vagal tone during infancy, reduced autonomic flexibility Cowell et al (2019) 14. PM 2.5 China, 2013 - 2016 Meteorological and medical data Increased risks of CVD death Xia et al (2019)

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