Prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter and newborn anogenital distance: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Considerable attention has been paid to reproductive toxicity of fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)). However, the relationship between prenatal PM(2.5) exposure and anogenital distance (AGD) has not been well studied. We aim to investigate the potential effects of prenatal exposure to PM(2.5) on newborn AGD. METHODS: Prenatal PM(2.5) exposure of 2332 participates in Shanghai (2013–2016) was estimated using high-performance machine learning models. Anoscrotal distance (AGDas) in male infants and anofourchette distance (AGDaf) in female infants were measured by well-trained examiners within 3 days after birth. We applied multiple linear regression models and multiple informant models to estimate the association between prenatal PM(2.5) exposure and AGD. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression models showed that a 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM(2.5) exposure during full pregnancy, the second and third trimesters was inversely associated with AGDas (adjusted beta = − 1.76, 95% CI: − 2.21, − 1.31; − 0.73, 95% CI: − 1.06, − 0.40; and − 0.52; 95% CI: − 0.87, − 0.18, respectively) in males. A 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM(2.5) exposure during the full pregnancy, the first, second, and third trimesters was inversely associated with AGDaf (adjusted beta = − 4.55; 95% CI: − 5.18, − 3.92; − 0.78; 95% CI: − 1.10, − 0.46; − 1.11; 95% CI: − 1.46, − 0.77; − 1.45; 95% CI: − 1.78, − 1.12, respectively) in females after adjusting for potential confounders. Multiple informant models showed consistent but slightly attenuated associations. CONCLUSION: Our study observed a significant association between gestational PM(2.5) exposure during pregnancy and shortened AGD in newborns, and provided new evidence on potential reproductive toxicity of prenatal PM(2.5) exposure. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12940-023-00969-w.