New research has revealed that air pollution is causing 7 percent of pregnancy loss (ie, stillbirth and miscarriage) among women in South Asia including Pakistan.
As per the study published in the international research journal, Lancet stated air pollution is causing loss of pregnancy among women, especially in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
In areas where the amount of PM2·5 particles in the air is more than 40 micrograms per square meter, pregnant women who breathe in the air may be at greater risk. It should be noted that PM2·5 particles are particles of airborne pollutants up to 2.5 microns in size which are also called the most dangerous type of air pollution.
Pakistan was ranked fourth highest by the UN in terms of the annual number of births and highest in terms of stillbirths. During 2010–15, 178 million (25·5%) of 698 million babies born globally were born in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh combined, but 917 800 (35·0%) of 2 620 000 stillbirths occurred in these countries.
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Therefore, understanding the risk factors for pregnancy loss in south Asia is crucial for planning effective interventions and thus mitigating the global pregnancy loss burden. Between 1998 and 2016, 793 462 women responded to DHS surveys in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among whom 50 563 women reported pregnancy losses during the study period.
