Wildfire Seasons, Prenatal PM2.5 Exposure, and Respiratory Infections by Age 1 Year: A Population-Based Case-Control Analysis of Critical Developmental Windows

Abstract

The 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons in British Columbia (BC), Canada were unprecedented. Among all the pollutants in wildfire smoke, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) poses the most significant risk to human health. There is limited research on prenatal wildfire smoke exposure and its impacts on infant health. We used a population-based nested case-control design to assess the association between daily PM_2.5 exposures during specific developmental windows and the occurrence of otitis media or lower respiratory infections by age 1 year, including infections associated with dispensations of the antibiotic amoxicillin. We observed the strongest association between per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 exposure and otitis media during the fourth window of eustachian tube development (weeks 19–28) with an OR [95% confidence interval] of 1.31 [1.22, 1.41]. Similarly, the canalicular stage of lower respiratory tract development (weeks 18–27) was associated with the highest odds of lower respiratory infections, with an OR of 1.21 [1.15, 1.28]. Measures to reduce wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy are warranted.

This study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during specific developmental windows can affect respiratory health in early life. Public health practitioners and healthcare providers should work to protect pregnant people and their children from the detrimental effects of wildfire smoke.