Exposure of fetuses to pollution reduces their IQ
Monday 20 July 2009
Pregnant women must be wary of pollution. In April 2009, air pollution had been linked to a decrease in the baby's weight at birth. Today, a new American study shows that it would have a negative impact on the development of the brain of fetuses. At the age of 5, children have a lower intelligence quotient (IQ).
Carried out on pregnant women and then on their children, this American study was carried out in two stages by the team of Dr. Frederica Perera, from Columbia University in New York. First, pregnant women living in the polluted neighborhoods of New York were followed. Their surrounding air could be studied using portable analysis devices. Once born, each child was followed by pediatricians until a final test at the age of 5 to calculate their IQ. Result: those whose mother was in a more polluted environment than the others during their gestation obtained results in IQ tests lower by 4 to 5 points.
It should be noted that a difference of 4 or 5 points in an IQ test will not lead to a noticeable difference in the development of the child. He will also be able to read or write. However, these results tend to show that the environment during pregnancy can have an influence on the development of the child's brain.
Source: "Prenatal Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure and Child IQ at Age 5 Years" - Pediatrics, Frederica P. Perera, Published online July 20, 2009
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