Key result
Infant coal mine fire PM2.5 exposure is linked to ~2.5 mmHg higher central DBP at 9 years.
Why the study?
Does exposure to extreme PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy increase blood pressure in later childhood?
Cohort (n=293)
Does exposure to extreme PM2.5 during pregnancy and infancy increase blood pressure in later childhood?
Mean Difference: 2.48 (95% CI 0.73–4.88)
Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 air pollution during infancy is associated with long-term increases in both brachial and central blood pressure in later childhood.
Background Chronic exposure to air pollution during early life is associated with increased risks of high blood pressure in childhood. However, there is limited research on the long-term effects of acute, high-intensity air pollution events, such as wildfire smoke. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure during pregnancy and infancy to Particulate Matter with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 µg/m3 (PM2.5) from coal mine fire and blood pressure in later childhood. Methods A cohort of 293 children classified into three groups: exposure while in-utero (n=100), exposure during infancy (from birth to 2 years of age, n=122) and not exposed (n=71), undertook brachial and central (aortic) blood pressure assessments at 3, 7 and 9 years after the fire. Individual mean and peak daily exposures to mine fire PM2.5 were calculated by mapping time-location diaries against modelled temporospatial pollution estimates. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the association between PM2.5 exposure and blood pressure. Rate of change in blood pressure measurements from 3 to 9 years after the fire was conducted by comparing exposed with unexposed groups of children. Results At the 9-year follow-up, each 10 µg/m3 increase in mean fire-related PM2.5 was associated with a 2.48 mmHg increase in central Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (95% CI: 0.73, 4.88) among children exposed during infancy. Being exposed to fire smoke during infancy was also associated with an annual increase from 3 to 9 years after the fire in brachial Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (2.18 mmHg [95% CI: 1.11, 3.24]), brachial DBP (1.90 mmHg, [95% CI: 0.95, 2.86]), central SBP (1.58 mmHg [95% CI: 0.59, 2.56]) and central DBP (1.86 mmHg [95% CI: 0.85, 2.88]) than for the unexposed group. Conclusions Exposure to high levels of air pollution during infancy was associated with long-term increased blood pressure in later childhood.Blood pressure change per year
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Belay et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Exposure to extreme particulate matter (coal mine fire) (n=293). Exposure to coal mine fire PM2.5 vs. Unexposed children was evaluated on Central Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) at 9-year follow-up (MD 2.48 mmHg per 10 µg/m3 increase, 95% CI 0.73-4.88). Exposure to coal mine fire PM2.5 during infancy was associated with a 2.48 mmHg increase in central diastolic blood pressure per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at 9 years (95% CI 0.73-4.88).
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