Ozone Exposure and COVID-19 Risk in Pregnant Women
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Lin, Tian Jiaqi, Duan Shuyin
Primary Institution: Clinical Medical Research Center for Women and Children Diseases, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University
Hypothesis
This study aims to assess the association between longitudinal ozone exposure during pregnancy and COVID-19 risk in late gestation.
Conclusion
Longitudinal ozone exposure during gestation may be protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection in late pregnancy.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher ozone exposure over pregnancy was associated with lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation.
- Compared to the lowest quartile, the highest ozone quartile corresponded to a 99% decreased infection risk.
- Increased maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI were associated with higher COVID-19 risk.
Takeaway
Breathing in ozone while pregnant might help protect against getting COVID-19.
Methodology
This retrospective cohort study included 600 pregnant women, with ozone exposure levels estimated based on local monitoring data and analyzed using logistic regression models.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of individual-level exposures and residual confounding by unmeasured factors.
Limitations
The study was conducted at a single hospital, relied on ambient ozone measurements, and had a retrospective design.
Participant Demographics
Participants were pregnant women aged 19 to 47 years, with an average age of 30.91 years and a pre-pregnancy BMI averaging 26.81.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.40-0.90
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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