Association of ambient air pollution with depressive and anxiety symptoms in pregnant women: A prospective cohort study.

Abstract Background Air pollution is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in the general population. However, this relationship among pregnant women remains largely unknown. Objective To evaluate the association between pregnancy air pollution exposure and maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during the third trimester assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scales, respectively. Methods We analyzed 1481 pregnant women from a cohort study in Seoul. Maternal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter Results In single-pollutant models, an IQR increase in PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 during the second trimester was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms (PM2.5 RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.27; PM10 RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.23; NO2 RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.29) after adjusting for relevant covariates. Similarly, an IQR increase in O3 during the third trimester was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms (RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18), while the IQR increase in O3 during the first trimester was associated with a decreased risk (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.96). Exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 during the second trimester was significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. The associations with PM2.5 and O3 in single-and multi-pollutant models were consistent. Conclusions Our findings indicate that increased levels of particulate matter, NO2, and O3 during pregnancy may elevate the risk of depression or anxiety in pregnant women.