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 Researchers focused on so-called PM 2.5, a mixture of solid
particles and liquid droplets smaller than 2.5 micrometers in
diameter that can include dust, dirt, soot and smoke. This type of
air pollution, also known as fine particulate matter, has been
previously been linked to lung damage as well as an increased risk
of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
The current study included 365 children in Mexico City who were
exposed to average daily PM 2.5 levels of 22.4 micrograms per cubic
meter of air (mcg/m3) while they were in the womb, far above the
12-mcg limit set by Mexican regulators.
Researchers also measured the children's hemoglobin A1c levels,
which reflect average blood sugar levels over about three months.
HbA1c readings above 6.5% signal diabetes.
From about age 5 until about age 7, kids' average levels of exposure
to PM 2.5 in the womb were associated with 0.25% larger annual
increases in HbA1c levels than would be expected with fine
particulate matter exposure within Mexican regulatory limits,
researchers calculated.
The effect was only seen in girls, and was associated with pollution
exposure during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
It's not clear whether or how prenatal air pollution exposure might
directly impact kids' blood sugar levels. But there are several
possible explanations, said study co-author Dr. Emily Oken of the
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.
"One is that air pollution causes a great deal of inflammation, and
we know that other inflammatory exposures can affect organ
development and function (such as brain, pancreas, liver, muscle and
fat - all of which participate in blood sugar regulation) in ways
that have long-lasting effects," Oken said by email.
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"Alternatively, air pollution could affect epigenetic regulation -
the signal that tells the body which genes to turn on and off and
which proteins to make," Oken said.
The researchers lacked data on what mothers or children ate, which
can have a profound impact on blood sugar levels. They also lacked
information about the mothers' personal and family history of
diabetes, and whether children went on to develop diabetes when they
were older.
There's also not much that expectant parents can do to change their
exposure to air pollution, unless they're in a position to move to a
place with better air quality.
"In terms of individual efforts, parents should not smoke or expose
their children to smoking or vaping," Oken said. "They should also
avoid using wood stoves."
Lifestyle habits can also impact diabetes risk, Oken added.
"While we don't know for certain about interventions to minimize
risks, it is reasonable to assume that healthy diet and regular
physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight would be very
likely to minimize risks," Oken added.
SOURCE: https://bit.ly/2tNs1Dm JAMA Network Open, online December
18, 2019.
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