Air pollution has harmful effects to fetuses. Pregnant women have to be protected
from a dirty air environment and smoking. The birthweight is a determinant of neonatal well
being, and recently published studies potentiated air pollution as a potential factor for low
birthweight, and that was investigated in our study. The results showed more Small-for-gestational
age babies in the central city district (highly polluted) compared to the eastern rural area, and
because we excluded majority of the associated risk factors for this condition, maternal exposure
to air pollution during the pregnancy may contribute to lesser weight gain in the fetus.
Key words: newborn, air pollution, birth weight, pregnanc
