Impact of particulate matter on mothers and babies in Antwerp (IPANEMA): a prospective cohort study on the impact of pollutants and particulate matter in pregnancy

INTRODUCTION: Air pollution is a hot topic and is known to cause multiple health issues. Especially pregnant women seem to be vulnerable to environmental issues. There are data suggesting that exposure contributes to hypertensive disorders. This study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and outdoor air pollutants on the clinical pregnancy outcome for mother and child and to determine which biochemical changes in maternal, placental and cord blood best explain this effect. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a prospective cohort study. We aim to recruit 200 pregnant women. The outcome measurements will include maternal parameters, labour parameters and neonatal parameters. Multiple samples will be analysed such as maternal urine samples (8-oxo-deoxyguanosine), maternal blood samples (routine blood sampling, biomarkers of pre-eclampsia and transcript markers), maternal hair samples, neonatal blood samples (transcript markers) combined with extensive questionnaires. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: We obtain informed consent from each participant prior to enrolment in the study. The study has received approval by the Ethical Committee of the Antwerp University Hospital (14/40/411). IPANEMA is the first prospective study to assess the impact of PM on mothers and babies in Antwerp, Belgium. Findings from this study will contribute to improve knowledge on the impact of exposure to air pollution on mothers and babies and will also define biomarkers as predictors for pregnant women at risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: 14/40/411. Registered 22-10-2015.