Health deteriorating due to pollution
The level of pollution has been increasing significantly in the last few days. Meanwhile, fog has also started occurring in many areas. The cocktail of pollution and fog can be a serious health hazard. It affects everyone, but do you know that it can also harm the child in the womb. This may affect the brain development of the child. Experts have alerted about this and advised pregnant women to avoid pollution.
Research by the National Library of Medicine shows that both pollution and smog have an impact on the child in the womb. PM2.5 and PM10 present in pollution contain particles like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. These go into the lungs with breath. Its effect is greater in pregnant women who live in areas with high pollution. Polluted particles dissolve in the blood and reach the placenta and can affect the mental development of the child.
What effect does pollution have on a child’s brain development?
Dr. Himanshu Bhadani in Pediatric Department at AIIMS Delhi It is said that due to exposure to pollution and smog or fog, there is a risk of reduced oxygen supply from women to children. This is called hypoxia. Decrease in oxygen supply can hinder the growth of brain cells. This causes inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Which can later affect the brain development of the child. Due to this, there may be a risk of the child’s learning ability becoming weak in the future.
Dr. Himanshu says that smog and fog lead to weak immunity of the newborn in pregnant women and also increases the risk of asthma and respiratory diseases in the future. Women who live in more polluted areas are at greater risk.
Dr. Bhadani says that both pollution and morning fog are dangerous. Because smog also contains many types of poisonous particles which enter the lungs with breath.
How should pregnant women protect themselves?
wear a mask
Use air purifier at home
Avoid going out in the morning and evening
Take diet as per doctor’s advice