Air pollution and miscarriages
Miscarriages are triggered by CH (congenital hypothyroidism) that is caused by low thyroid hormone in newborn babies. Thyroid insufficiency results from an error in inborn thyroid metabolism. Shang et al. (2019) assert that air pollution can be a leading cause of CH among pregnant women due to the susceptibility of the embryo and fetal development to air pollutant through the respiratory tract. Infants suffering from CH are likely to be born with a various congenital disability or to be miscarried. Furthermore, both Shang et al. (2019) and University of Utah Report (2018) have identified small particulate matter (PM 2.5) as the primary air pollutant resulting to the inadequacy of thyroid hormone in expectant women.
Asymmetrically, it is evident that lesser research has been done to correlate between air pollution and miscarriages to entirely satisfied that air pollution is the leading cause of miscarriages. Additionally, there are other leading factors to consider while addressing air pollution are as one of the bases for miscarriage, such as maternal age and genetical incompatibility ( rhesus factor ). (University of Utah Report, 2018). Thyroid hormone production equally depends on the mother’s diet during the first trimester, by taking more of iodine related intake to boost and regulate the production of thyroid hormone subsequently, preventing CH which is the leading agent of miscarriage.
Shang (2019) asserts that globally, we have witnessed a rapid industrial revolution that resulted in massive air pollution above the recommended WHO threshold. The trend seems irreversibly soon, therefore, there is a need for further research on protection of expectant mothers from the likely challenged posed by the menace. Additionally, factors such as maternal age during expectancy and the risk associated with it, increase of iodine-based diet and avoidance of polluted environment, to reduce miscarriages caused by air pollution.