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. 2012 Feb 3;120(5):746–751. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1104345

Chronic Air Pollution Exposure during Pregnancy and Maternal and Fetal C-Reactive Protein Levels: The Generation R Study

Edith H van den Hooven 1,2,3,✉, Yvonne de Kluizenaar 2, Frank H Pierik 2, Albert Hofman 3, Sjoerd W van Ratingen 2, Peter YJ Zandveld 2, Jan Lindemans 4, Henk Russcher 4, Eric AP Steegers 5, Henk ME Miedema 2, Vincent WV Jaddoe 1,3,6
PMCID: PMC3346784  PMID: 22306530

Abstract

Background: Exposure to air pollution has been associated with higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, suggesting an inflammatory response. Not much is known about this association in pregnancy.

Objectives: We investigated the associations of air pollution exposure during pregnancy with maternal and fetal CRP levels in a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands.

Methods: Particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were estimated at the home address using dispersion modeling for different averaging periods preceding the blood sampling (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and total pregnancy). High-sensitivity CRP levels were measured in maternal blood samples in early pregnancy (n = 5,067) and in fetal cord blood samples at birth (n = 4,450).

Results: Compared with the lowest quartile, higher PM10 exposure levels for the prior 1 and 2 weeks were associated with elevated maternal CRP levels (> 8 mg/L) in the first trimester [fourth PM10 quartile for the prior week: odds ratio (OR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.61; third PM10 quartile for the prior 2 weeks: OR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56]; however, no clear dose–response relationships were observed. PM10 and NO2 exposure levels for 1, 2, and 4 weeks preceding delivery were not consistently associated with fetal CRP levels at delivery. Higher long-term PM10 and NO2 exposure levels (total pregnancy) were associated with elevated fetal CRP levels (> 1 mg/L) at delivery (fourth quartile PM10: OR, 2.18; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.38; fourth quartile NO2: OR, 3.42; 95% CI: 1.36, 8.58; p-values for trend < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may lead to maternal and fetal inflammatory responses.

Keywords: air pollution, C-reactive protein, dispersion modeling, inflammation, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, pregnancy

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant and a frequently used marker of low-grade systemic inflammation whose levels increase in response to both infectious and noninfectious stimuli (Gabay and Kushner 1999). CRP levels have been suggested to increase during pregnancy because of the maternal inflammatory response to the pregnancy (Thornton 2010; von Versen-Hoeynck et al. 2009). Among pregnant women, elevated CRP levels have been associated with adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction (Ernst et al. 2011; Guven et al. 2009; Lohsoonthorn et al. 2007; Pitiphat et al. 2005; Tjoa et al. 2003). Additionally, elevated CRP levels in umbilical cord blood have been reported in infants being born small for gestational age (Amarilyo et al. 2011; Trevisanuto et al. 2007).

CRP levels might increase in response to air pollution exposure. Previous studies have linked air pollution exposure to increased CRP levels in various populations, including healthy adults, diseased subjects, and elderly subjects, but results have been inconsistent (Brauner et al. 2008; Chuang et al. 2007; Delfino et al. 2008; Diez Roux et al. 2006; Dubowsky et al. 2006; Forbes et al. 2009; Riediker et al. 2004; Rudez et al. 2009; Seaton et al. 1999; Steinvil et al. 2008; Zuurbier et al. 2011). Only one study investigated the associations of air pollution exposure with CRP levels in pregnant women (Lee et al. 2011). Associations of maternal air pollution exposure with fetal CRP levels have not yet been examined. This is of interest because induction of systemic inflammation has been proposed as one potential biological mechanism through which air pollution could result in adverse pregnancy outcomes (Kannan et al. 2006; Slama et al. 2008).

Therefore, we investigated the associations of maternal exposure to particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during pregnancy with maternal and fetal CRP levels in a population-based cohort study among 6,508 mother–child pairs living in an urban area in the Netherlands.

Methods

Design. This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onward in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which has been described previously in detail (Jaddoe et al. 2010). Mothers enrolled between 2001 and 2005. The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam. Written informed consent was obtained from all mothers.

Of the 8,880 prenatally enrolled women, air pollution exposure estimates were available for 7,899 mothers (89%). For 981 mothers, air pollution exposure data could not be assessed because of incomplete address history or because they had moved outside the study area before delivery (Jaddoe et al. 2010). Mothers with a twin pregnancy (n = 85), abortion (n = 7), or intrauterine death (n = 12) were excluded. Of the mothers with live singleton births and their infants, a CRP measurement in maternal blood and/or cord blood was available for 6,508 mother–infant pairs. Median gestational age at enrollment was 13.1 weeks (range, 5.1–38.4 weeks). We excluded mothers and infants with extremely high CRP values (> 100 mg/L, n = 4, and > 20 mg/L, n = 8, respectively), because these concentrations are likely to reflect acute inflammatory processes due to specific infectious causes. Associations between air pollution exposure and CRP levels were analyzed in 5,067 mothers with a maternal CRP measurement in the first trimester and in 4,450 infants with a fetal CRP measurement at delivery [for a flow chart, see Supplemental Material, Figure S1 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345)].

Air pollution exposure. Individual exposures to PM10 and NO2 during pregnancy were assessed at the home address, using a combination of continuous monitoring data and geographic information system–based dispersion modeling techniques, taking into account both the spatial and temporal variation in air pollution. The method has been previously described in detail (van den Hooven et al. 2011, 2012). In brief, annual average concentrations of PM10 and NO2 for the years 2001–2006 were assessed for all addresses in the study area, using the three Dutch national standard methods for air quality modeling (Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment 2007). Hourly concentrations of PM10 and NO2 were derived, taking into account hourly wind conditions and fixed temporal patterns in the contribution of air pollution sources. Subsequently, the hourly concentrations were adjusted for background concentrations, using hourly air pollution measurements from three continuous monitoring stations. We obtained full residential history of the participants, which showed that approximately 13% of the women moved at least once during pregnancy. Based on participants’ home addresses, we derived average exposure estimates for different periods preceding the day of blood sampling (in first trimester or at delivery): 1 week (days 1–7), 2 weeks (days 1–14), and 4 weeks (days 1–28). Additionally, we estimated average exposure for the total pregnancy period (conception until delivery).

High-sensitivity CRP levels. Maternal venous blood samples were collected in early pregnancy (median, 13.2 weeks of gestation; range, 4.5–17.9 weeks). Sampling of venous umbilical cord blood was carried out by midwives and obstetricians immediately after delivery (median, 40.1 weeks of gestation; range, 27.6–43.6 weeks). Blood samples were transported to the regional laboratory for processing and storage at –80°C (Jaddoe et al. 2007). High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) concentrations were measured in EDTA plasma samples at the Department of Clinical Chemistry of the Erasmus Medical Center in 2009. We measured hs-CRP because traditional clinically used CRP methods lack the sensitivity in low ranges needed for predicting future risk of events in apparently healthy individuals (Roberts et al. 2001). We analyzed hs-CRP levels using an immunoturbidimetric assay on the Architect System (Abbot Diagnostics BV, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands). The total precision (interassay variation) for hs-CRP was 0.9% at 12.9 mg/L and 1.3% at 39.9 mg/L. The lowest level of detection was 0.2 mg/L. Elevated maternal CRP concentrations were defined as > 8 mg/L (~ 83rd percentile), a cutoff point that has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in previous studies (Catov et al. 2007; Pitiphat et al. 2005). Elevated fetal CRP levels were defined as > 1 mg/L (~ 97th percentile), a threshold that has been associated with neonatal infection (Kordek et al. 2008).

Covariates. Medical records were used to obtain information on date of birth, gestational age at birth, fetal sex, and birth weight. Information on maternal age, educational level, ethnicity, parity, and first-trimester infectious or inflammatory disease (doctor-consulted) was obtained by a questionnaire at enrollment. Because there were no differences in observed results when ethnicity was categorized into five groups instead of two groups, we reclassified ethnicity as European or non-European. Maternal anthropometrics were assessed at time of enrollment. Maternal smoking and alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy were assessed by questionnaires in each trimester and were categorized as none, only until the pregnancy was known, or continued during pregnancy. Month of conception and month of birth were categorized into seasons: winter (December–February), spring (March–May), summer (June–August), and fall (September–November). Road traffic noise exposure was assessed at the home address (in first trimester and at delivery) according to requirements of the European Environmental Noise Directive, and expressed in the noise metric Lden (day, evening, night), as described in detail elsewhere (van den Hooven et al. 2011). To each participant, we assigned the noise exposure level calculated at the home address at time of the blood sampling (first trimester or delivery).

Statistical analysis. Air pollution exposures in each period were categorized into quartiles. The lowest quartile of PM10 and NO2 exposure was used as the reference group. First, unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were run to analyze the associations for an interquartile range increase in air pollution exposure in different periods preceding the first-trimester measurement with maternal CRP levels. Maternal CRP concentrations were log-transformed (using the natural log) to obtain a normally distributed outcome variable. We present coefficients from the linear regression analyses for the log-transformed CRP concentrations, multiplied by 100, which can be interpreted in units of percentage differences (Cole 2000). Second, the associations of air pollution exposure quartiles for different periods preceding the first-trimester measurement with elevated maternal CRP levels (> 8 mg/L) were estimated using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models. Third, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were run to estimate associations of air pollution exposure quartiles for different periods preceding delivery with elevated fetal CRP levels (> 1 mg/L). Logistic regression models in which air pollution exposure was included as a continuous variable (per 10-μg/m3 increase) were considered as test for trend. All models were adjusted for known determinants of CRP levels (maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, education, parity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and gestational age at measurement) and for road traffic noise exposure (based on home address in first trimester for models on maternal CRP levels or on home address at delivery for models on fetal CRP levels). Models with maternal CRP levels were additionally adjusted for season of conception, and models with fetal CRP levels were additionally adjusted for season of birth. The percentages of missing values within the population for analysis were < 1% for continuous data and < 15% for the categorical data. We applied multiple imputation for missing data in covariates. All measures of association are presented with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical analyses were performed using PASW version 17.0 for Windows (PASW Inc.). p-Values of < 0.05 and < 0.10 were considered statistically significant and borderline statistically significant, respectively.

Results

Subject and exposure characteristics. The median age of the participants was 30.4 years (Table 1). Most of the women were nulliparous, and 41.2% had completed high education. Median maternal CRP concentration was 4.4 mg/L (range, 0.2–93.8 mg/L); 1,309 women had an elevated CRP concentration (> 8.0 mg/L). Of the neonates, 3,485 (53.5%) had a CRP concentration below the detection limit of 0.2 mg/L; 72 neonates had an elevated CRP concentration (> 1.0 mg/L). Mean maternal exposure levels for the prior week were 30.6 μg/m3 for PM10 and 40.3 μg/m3 for NO2 in early pregnancy, and 29.6 μg/m3 for PM10 and 39.5 μg/m3 for NO2 at delivery [see Supplemental Material, Table S1 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345)]. Mean air pollution exposure levels for the total pregnancy period were 30.3 μg/m3 (range, 23.2–40.9 μg/m3) for PM10 and 39.9 μg/m3 (range, 26.5–56.9 μg/m3) for NO2. On average, these levels are below the European Union annual limit values (40 μg/m3 for both PM10 and NO2) that are defined for protection of human health (World Health Organization 2006), but a substantial proportion (46%) of the women were exposed to NO2 levels higher than this limit value. Correlations among exposure averages for the prior 1, 2, and 4 weeks were moderate to strong (PM10, Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.58–0.83; NO2, r = 0.74–0.89). Correlations between exposure averages for the prior 1, 2, and 4 weeks with exposure averages for the total pregnancy period were lower (PM10, r = 0.27–0.48; NO2, r = 0.36–0.51). PM10 and NO2 levels for the same period were moderately correlated (r = 0.35–0.54).

Table 1.

Subject characteristics (n = 6,508).

Characteristic Value
Maternal characteristics
Age at enrollment [years; median (range)] 30.4 (15.4–46.3)
Gestational age at enrollment [weeks; median (range)] 13.1 (5.1–38.4)
Height (cm; mean ± SD) 167.4 ± 7.5
Weight at enrollment [kg; median (range)] 67.0 (37.0–142.0)
Body mass index at enrollment [kg/m2; median (range)] 23.7 (15.2–51.2)
Parity [n (%)]
Nulliparous 3,592 (55.2)
Multiparous 2,854 (43.9)
Missing 62 (1.0)
Ethnic background [n (%)]
European 3,624 (55.7)
Non-European 2,483 (38.2)
Missing 401 (6.2)
Highest completed educational level [n (%)]
No education/primary 626 (9.6)
Secondary 2,701 (41.5)
Higher 2,680 (41.2)
Missing 501 (7.7)
Smoking in pregnancy [n (%)]
None 4,192 (64.4)
First trimester only 492 (7.6)
Continued 1,002 (15.4)
Missing 822 (12.6)
Alcohol consumption in pregnancy [n (%)]
None 2,695 (41.4)
First trimester only 779 (12.0)
Continued 2,259 (34.7)
Missing 775 (11.9)
Season of conception [n (%)]
Winter 1,781 (27.4)
Spring 1,516 (23.3)
Summer 1,521 (23.4)
Fall 1,690 (26.0)
Noise exposure based on home address in first trimester [dB(A); median (range)] 53.1 (45.0–76.0)
Noise exposure based on home address at delivery [dB(A); median (range)] 52.7 (45.0–76.0)
Gestational age at blood sampling [weeks; median (range)] 13.2 (4.5–17.9)
CRP concentration [mg/L; median (range)] 4.4 (0.2–93.8)
CRP concentration > 8.0 mg/L [n (%)] 1,309 (24.8)
Child characteristics
Gestational age at birth [weeks; median (range)] 40.1 (27.6–43.6)
Birth weight (g; mean ± SD) 3460.7 ± 502.5
CRP concentration > 1.0 mg/L [n (%)] 69 (1.5)
Values are means ± SD, or medians (range) for variables with a skewed distribution, and number of subjects (%) in case of categorical variables.
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Air pollution and maternal CRP levels. We observed nonsignificant, negative percentage changes in maternal CRP levels per interquartile range increase in air pollution exposure preceding the first-trimester measurement in the unadjusted models. Adjustment for covariates attenuated the effect estimates toward the null [see Supplemental Material, Table S2 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345)]. Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of PM10 exposure for the prior week was associated with elevated maternal CRP levels [> 8 mg/L; odds ratio (OR) = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.61) (Figure 1A)]. The third and fourth quartiles of PM10 exposure for the prior 2 weeks were also associated with elevated CRP (OR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56; and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.46, respectively). However, ORs were comparable for all quartiles, and tests for trend were not significant. Associations of PM10 exposure levels for the prior 4 weeks with maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy did not reach statistical significance (Figure 1A). NO2 exposure levels for the prior 1, 2, and 4 weeks were not associated with maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy (Figure 1B). When we performed analyses with different cutoff points for CRP (> 10 and > 5 mg/L, n = 915 and n = 2,316 classified as elevated, respectively), results were comparable (i.e., the same patterns of associations were observed) (data not shown). When we restricted the analyses to 2,403 women with an early CRP measurement (before gestational week 13), we observed similar patterns of associations, although p-values were larger for the associations of PM10 exposure for the prior 2 and 4 weeks with CRP levels. When we excluded women with preexisting conditions (diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic heart disorders, or systemic lupus erythematosus; n = 179), the results did not change. Results from the sensitivity analyses in nonsmoking women (n = 4,192) or in women without illnesses in the first trimester that could indicate a possible infection or inflammation (n = 5,792) were similar. Additional adjustment for maternal passive smoking or meteorological conditions on the day of the measurement (24-hr average temperature, maximum temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure) did not influence the results either. Associations were comparable when the analyses were restricted to women with a normal body mass index (< 25 kg/m2; n = 4,103) (data not shown). The unadjusted models showed smaller effect estimates with larger p-values (see Supplemental Material, Table S3).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Associations of maternal air pollution exposure with the risks of elevated maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy (n = 5,067). Values [ORs (95% CI)] reflect the risk for elevated maternal CRP levels (> 8 mg/L) for each quartile (Q) of PM10 exposure (A) and NO2 exposure (B) in different periods preceding the first-trimester measurement compared with the reference group (lowest quartile). Cutoff values for categorization of PM10 exposure were < 24.6, 24.6–28.8, 28.8–33.9, and > 33.9 μg/m3 for the prior week, < 25.4, 25.4–28.8, 28.8–33.7, and > 33.7 μg/m3 for the prior 2 weeks, and < 26.3, 26.3–29.4, 29.4–33.8, and > 33.8 μg/m3 for the prior 4 weeks. Cutoff values for NO2 exposure were < 33.9, 33.9–39.9, 39.9–46.0, and > 46.0 μg/m3 for the prior week, < 35.2, 35.2–40.5, 40.5–45.3, and > 45.3 μg/m3 for the prior 2 weeks, and < 35.8, 35.8–40.8, 40.8–44.5, and > 44.5 μg/m3 for the prior 4 weeks. Tests for trend were performed by including PM10 and NO2 exposure as a continuous term (per 10‑μg/m3 increase) in the model. Number of subjects classified as having elevated CRP levels is indicated in Supplemental Material, Table S3 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345). Models are adjusted for gestational age at measurement, maternal age, body mass index, parity, ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, noise exposure, and season of conception. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.10.

Air pollution and fetal CRP levels. No consistent associations with fetal CRP levels were observed for maternal PM10 exposure for 1, 2, and 4 weeks preceding delivery in the adjusted models (Figure 2A). Compared with the lowest quartile, the fourth quartile of PM10 exposure during total pregnancy was associated with elevated fetal CRP levels (> 1 mg/L) at delivery (OR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.38), and a positive trend (p = 0.04) was observed as well. Positive, but nonsignificant associations were observed for NO2 exposure for the prior 1 and 2 weeks with fetal CRP levels at delivery (Figure 2B), with a monotonic increase in ORs. A positive trend was observed for NO2 exposure for the prior 4 weeks and elevated fetal CRP levels (p = 0.02). Elevated fetal CRP levels were associated with the third and fourth quartiles of NO2 exposure during total pregnancy (OR = 2.85; 95% CI: 1.25, 6.47; and OR = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.36, 8.58, respectively), with a monotonic increase in ORs (p = 0.01). When we performed analyses with different cutoff points for fetal CRP (> 0.8 and > 0.4 mg/L, n = 85 and n = 127 classified as elevated, respectively), results were comparable (data not shown). The same patterns of associations were observed in the sensitivity analyses in nonsmoking women and in mothers without illnesses in first trimester. Additional adjustment for mode of delivery, maternal passive smoking, or meteorological conditions on the day of the measurement did not change the results. When we restricted the analyses to women with a normal body mass index, we observed slightly larger effect estimates for the associations between air pollution and fetal CRP levels (e.g., highest quartiles of total pregnancy exposure: PM10, OR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.18, 10.10; NO2, OR = 3.69; 95% CI: 1.04, 12.98). Unadjusted associations for air pollution exposure with elevated fetal CRP were largely similar, although smaller effect estimates with larger p-values were observed for total pregnancy exposure [Supplemental Material, Table S4 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345)]. We did not observe consistent associations between the maternal and fetal CRP response to air pollution (data not shown).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Associations of maternal air pollution exposure with the risks of elevated fetal CRP levels at delivery (n = 4,450). Values [ORs (95% CI)] reflect the risk for elevated fetal CRP levels (> 1 mg/L) for each quartile (Q) of PM10 exposure (A) and NO2 exposure (B) in different periods preceding delivery compared with the reference group (lowest quartile). Cutoff values for categorization of PM10 exposure were < 23.9, 23.9–27.7, 27.7–32.8, and > 32.8 μg/m3 for the prior week, < 24.7, 24.7–28.0, 28.0–32.1, and > 32.1 μg/m3 for the prior 2 weeks, < 25.6, 25.6–28.5, 28.5–32.8, and > 32.8 μg/m3 for the prior 4 weeks, and < 27.8, 27,8–30.0, 30.0–32.9, and > 32.9 μg/m3 for total pregnancy. Cutoff values for NO2 exposure were < 33.2, 33.2–39.3, 39.3–45.6, and > 45.6 μg/m3 for the prior week, < 34.1, 34.1–39.8, 39.8–44.7, > and 44.7 μg/m3 for the prior 2 weeks, < 34.7, 34.7–40.2, 40.2–44.1, and > 44.1 μg/m3 for the prior 4 weeks, and < 37.2, 37.2–39.6, 39.6–42.3, and > 42.3 μg/m3 for total pregnancy. Number of subjects classified as having elevated CRP levels is indicated in Supplemental Material, Table S4 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104345). Models are adjusted for gestational age at birth, season of birth, maternal age, body mass index, parity, ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and noise exposure. Tests for trend were performed by including PM10 and NO2 exposure as a continuous term (per 10-μg/m3 increase) in the model. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.10.

Discussion

In this large population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onward, we observed weak associations for short-term average PM10 exposure levels (prior 1 and 2 weeks) with elevated maternal CRP levels in first trimester of pregnancy. Higher long-term average PM10 and NO2 exposure levels (total pregnancy) were associated with elevated fetal CRP levels at delivery. This study extends previous epidemiological research on air pollution and markers of systemic inflammation in various populations and suggests that maternal air pollution exposure may promote inflammatory processes in the mother and fetus.

Air pollution and CRP levels during pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, maternal CRP levels slightly increase as a result of the inflammatory response to the pregnancy (Thornton 2010; von Versen-Hoeynck et al. 2009). This systemic inflammatory response, which is part of the innate immune system, generally peaks during the third trimester (Redman and Sargent 2004). Among pregnant women, a further elevation of CRP levels has been reported in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery (Guven et al. 2009; Lohsoonthorn et al. 2007; Pitiphat et al. 2005; Tjoa et al. 2003). In addition, increased CRP levels in cord blood have been observed in neonates that were born preterm, small for gestational age, or with a low birth weight (Amarilyo et al. 2011; Trevisanuto et al. 2007). Two recent studies in our population showed that elevated maternal CRP levels in first trimester were associated with reductions in third-trimester estimated fetal weight and birth weight and with small size for gestational age at birth (Ernst et al. 2011). In addition, maternal CRP levels were positively associated with diastolic blood pressure, and elevated CRP levels were associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, but these associations attenuated toward the null after adjustment for maternal body mass index (de Jonge et al. 2011). These findings indicate a possible link between an enhanced systemic inflammatory response and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Potential biological pathways through which air pollution, especially PM, may influence pregnancy are induction of oxidative stress and translocation of PM directly in the blood, both resulting in systemic inflammation (Brook et al. 2010). It has been hypothesized that an enhanced systemic inflammatory response may lead to placental inflammation and alterations in maternal immunity (Kannan et al. 2006), or suboptimal placentation (Dejmek et al. 1999), which could predispose to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A number of routinely measured air pollutants [e.g., PM10, PM2.5 (aerodynamic diamter ≤ 2.5 µm), NO2, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2)] have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction (Bonzini et al. 2010; Ritz and Wilhelm 2008; Shah et al. 2011), although results differ among studies. In our previous work in the same population, we have shown that maternal exposure to PM10 and NO2 during pregnancy was associated with measures of fetal growth retardation and a reduced birth weight. Also, elevated PM10 exposure levels were associated with increased risks for preterm birth, small size for gestational age at birth (van den Hooven et al. 2012), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (van den Hooven et al. 2011).

In the present study, no statistically significant percent changes in maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy were observed for an interquartile range increase in PM10 or NO2 exposure. In contrast, weak associations were observed for short-term average PM10 exposure with elevated maternal CRP levels (> 8 mg/L). NO2 exposure was not associated with elevated maternal CRP levels. Possibly, air pollution–induced increases in maternal CRP levels, if any, might be difficult to detect, because CRP levels already increase in response to the pregnancy.

Thus far, only one previous study has examined associations of maternal air pollution exposure with CRP levels during pregnancy. This study was conducted in 1,696 women in the United States and showed a tendency toward higher risks for elevated CRP levels (> 8 mg/L) for an interquartile range increase in PM10 and PM2.5 exposure for the prior 22 and 29 days (ORs ranging from 1.18 to 1.32) (Lee et al. 2011). Effect estimates were generally larger in nonsmokers only. Positive but nonsignificant associations were observed for exposure to O3, whereas no associations were observed for exposure to NO2, CO, and SO2. However, the consideration of the spatial variability of air pollutants was limited in this study, because exposure estimates were based on monitoring stations only. Several other studies estimated the impact of air pollution exposure on CRP levels in nonpregnant adults. Positive associations with CRP levels were observed for exposure to PM10 (Chuang et al. 2007; Seaton et al. 1999), NO2 (Delfino et al. 2009), or markers of primary combustion, including PM2.5 (Delfino et al. 2009; Riediker et al. 2004), but other studies reported only weak associations (Diez Roux et al. 2006; Dubowsky et al. 2006) or were not able to detect associations with PM or NO2 (Brauner et al. 2008; Forbes et al. 2009; Rudez et al. 2009; Steinvil et al. 2008; Zuurbier et al. 2011).

Considering fetal CRP levels, in the present study elevated fetal CRP levels at delivery were observed in association with higher exposure to PM10 and NO2 during total pregnancy. No consistent associations were observed for air pollution exposure in shorter exposure periods (1, 2, or 4 weeks), although ORs increased monotonically with higher NO2 levels. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine associations of maternal air pollution exposure with fetal CRP levels. Because CRP does not cross the placenta (Jaye and Waites 1997), elevated CRP levels are considered to reflect hepatic synthesis by the fetus (Raio et al. 2003). The underlying mechanism through which maternal air pollution exposure may lead to an enhanced inflammatory response in the fetus is unclear. It is possible that it might involve systemic and placental inflammation at the maternal side. Alternatively, air pollution might provoke an inflammatory response directly in the fetus, because of either short- or long-term exposure. We did not observe consistent associations between the maternal and fetal CRP response to air pollution (i.e., whether the air pollution effect in the mother was related to the air pollution effect in the fetus). This may be related to the different timing of the measurements (early pregnancy vs. delivery). We could not examine the possibility that acute maternal infections contributed to elevated fetal CRP levels, because information on third-trimester maternal infections was not available. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

CRP increases rapidly after an inflammatory trigger. Most previous studies on air pollution and CRP levels estimated associations with relatively acute exposures (same-day or multiday averages). Information on the impact of longer averages of air pollution is limited. Possibly, exposure to high air pollution concentrations during a few weeks or months may cause chronically elevated CRP levels in mother and fetus. Effect estimates for associations between air pollution and elevated fetal CRP levels were slightly stronger in the subgroup of women with a normal body mass index. It is known that body mass index is an important determinant of CRP levels in pregnant women, and previous studies have reported increased levels of inflammatory markers (including CRP) in overweight and obese women (Madan et al. 2009; Visser et al. 1999). The increased inflammatory response in overweight and obese women possibly masks the effects of air pollution on maternal and fetal CRP levels.

This study was performed in an urban area that is characterized by high emissions from road traffic, shipping, households, and industry. No information was available on pollutants other than PM10 and NO2. Mean exposure levels in previous studies that examined associations between air pollution and CRP levels varied substantially. Compared with our study, reported PM10 levels were lower in studies in the United Kingdom and the United States (Forbes et al. 2009; Lee et al. 2011; Seaton et al. 1999), similar in another study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (Rudez et al. 2009), and higher in studies in Taiwan and Israel (Chuang et al. 2007; Steinvil et al. 2008). Reported NO2 exposure levels were (slightly) lower in previous studies in Taiwan, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Chuang et al. 2007; Dubowsky et al. 2006; Forbes et al. 2009; Lee et al. 2011; Steinvil et al. 2008), similar in another Dutch study (Rudez et al. 2009), and higher in a study in Los Angeles, United States (Delfino et al. 2009). However, these comparisons should be considered with caution because of the different averaging periods. Furthermore, adverse health effects associated with PM10 and NO2 exposure are not necessarily caused by these pollutants but may be caused by other compounds present in the complex air pollution mixture that may differ among geographic locations.

Methodological considerations. An important strength of this study is the population-based cohort, which included a large number of participants studied from early pregnancy onward. Furthermore, we collected detailed information on many potential confounding factors, such as maternal educational level, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and noise exposure. However, residual confounding due to unmeasured variables might still be an issue.

Many previous studies have not addressed both intraurban and temporal contrasts in air pollutants. A few earlier studies on CRP levels in nonpregnant adults considered spatiotemporal variation, either by controlling exposure in an exposure chamber or by measuring personal, indoor-home, or outdoor-home concentrations (Brauner et al. 2008; Delfino et al. 2008; Dubowsky et al. 2006; Riediker et al. 2004; Seaton et al. 1999; Zuurbier et al. 2011). However, these studies were based on relatively small sample sizes (n < 150) and were often conducted in elderly or diseased subjects (Delfino et al. 2008; Dubowsky et al. 2006; Seaton et al. 1999). In our study, we were able to consider detailed spatial and temporal variation in exposure by using a combination of dispersion modeling and continuous monitoring. Moreover, we were able to account for residential mobility of the women during pregnancy.

We should still acknowledge the possibility of misclassification of air pollution exposure, because exposures were only estimated at the home address, and study participants did not spend all of their time at home. No information was available on other locations or other types of exposure (e.g., occupational, commuting, or indoor sources). This limitation should be taken into account when interpreting the results. Ideally, information on time–activity patterns should be considered when examining the associations for air pollution with health outcomes (Nethery et al. 2009; Ritz and Wilhelm 2008), but unfortunately this information was not available. Whether and in which direction this possible misclassification has affected our effect estimates is not clear. Nevertheless, because pregnant women are likely to spend more time at home than are nonpregnant individuals, especially in the last stage of pregnancy (Nethery et al. 2009), the extent of the possible misclassification may be less than in nonpregnant adults.

The present study was based on single blood measurements. Future studies that longitudinally follow the changes of CRP levels during pregnancy in relation to air pollution exposure are recommended.

Conclusions

In a population-based prospective cohort study in the Netherlands, we showed that short-term maternal PM10 exposure was modestly associated with elevated maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy and that long-term maternal PM10 and NO2 exposure during pregnancy was associated with elevated fetal CRP levels at delivery. Our results suggest that air pollution exposure may lead to maternal and fetal inflammatory responses. More research is needed to confirm these findings, to examine the underlying mechanisms, and to explore the consequences.

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Acknowledgments

The Generation R Study is being conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam in close collaboration with the School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam Area, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, and the Stichting Trombosedienst and Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond, Rotterdam. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of participating mothers and children, general practitioners, hospitals, midwives, and pharmacies in Rotterdam. We also thank E. Meijer, H. Vos, and R. Sterkenburg from Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) Urban Environment and Safety for exposure assessment, data linkage, and providing air pollution maps, and the DCMR Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond for kindly supplying data.

Footnotes

The general design of the Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, and the Ministry of Youth and Families. V.W.V.J. reports receipt of funding from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw 90700303, 916.10159). TNO received funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to support exposure assessment.

The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

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