Silvia Regina Dias Médici Saldiva

Impaired lung function in individuals chronically exposed to biomass combustion

BACKGROUNDnThe use of biomass for cooking and heating is considered an important factor associated with respiratory diseases. However, few studies evaluate the amount of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), symptoms and lung function in the same population.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo evaluate the respiratory effects of biomass combustion and compare the results with those of individuals from the same community in Brazil using liquefied petroleum gas (Gas).nnnMETHODSn1402 individuals in 260 residences were divided into three groups according to exposure (Gas, Indoor-Biomass, Outside-Biomass). Respiratory symptoms were assessed using questionnaires. Reflectance of paper filters was used to assess particulate matter exposure. In 48 residences the amount of PM2.5 was also quantified. Pulmonary function tests were performed in 120 individuals.nnnRESULTSnReflectance index correlated directly with PM2.5 (r=0.92) and was used to estimate exposure (ePM2.5). There was a significant increase in ePM2.5 in Indoor-Biomass and Outside-Biomass, compared to Gas. There was a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for cough, wheezing and dyspnea in adults exposed to Indoor-Biomass (OR=2.93, 2.33, 2.59, respectively) and Outside-Biomass (OR=1.78, 1.78, 1.80, respectively) compared to Gas. Pulmonary function tests revealed both Non-Smoker-Biomass and Smoker-Gas individuals to have decreased %predicted-forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) as compared to Non-Smoker-Gas. Pulmonary function tests data was inversely correlated with duration and ePM2.5. The prevalence of airway obstruction was 20% in both Non-Smoker-Biomass and Smoker-Gas subjects.nnnCONCLUSIONnChronic exposure to biomass combustion is associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These effects are associated with the duration and magnitude of exposure and are exacerbated by tobacco smoke.

Avaliação antropométrica e consumo alimentar em crianças menores de cinco anos residentes em um município da região do semiárido nordestino com cobertura parcial do programa bolsa família

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the health and nutritional status of children under five years of age and to associate the quality of the foods consumed with the Bolsa Familia Program in a city located in the Brazilian semi-arid region. METHOD: A total of 189 children from a sample of 411 households in the city of Joao Câmara (RN) were assessed. Weight and height were measured and socioeconomic and food habits were determined with the use of questionnaires. The nutritional status of the children was determined with the weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height indicators. Univariate analyses were done and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to test the hypothesis of the study. RESULTS: Of the studied children, 4.3% were underweight, 9.9% were stunted and 14.0% were overweight. The nutritional status of children whose families receive the Bolsa Familia financial aid was not significantly different from those whose families do not receive the aid. In both groups, the consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables was low and similar. Children from families who receive the aid were 3 times more likely to eat junk food (OR 3.06 - CI 1.35-6.95). CONCLUSION: The food intake patterns of this population indicate that they are at food and nutritional risk. Health professionals need to intervene in order to promote healthier eating habits.

Sistema de vigilância alimentar e nutricional no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: experiência da implementação e avaliação do estado nutricional de crianças

OBJECTIVES: to describe the strategy of the SISVAN-SP applicative implementation in the state of Sao Paulo and analyze the information generated by the System concerning the magnitude of nutritional deviations in children under five years old. METHODS: primary health units in the municipalities were in charge for collecting and entering data using an information system named SISVAN-SP an applicative developed by the Health Institute of the Health Secretariat of the State of Sao Paulo (SES/SP). Monthly available data of the system are: Health Regional Management, municipality, primary health unit, and medical file number, date of birth, date of visit, gender and classification of the childrens nutritional condition. Children with weight/age 97 of the reference curve from the National Center of Health Statistics were considered in risk of overweight. RESULTS: malnutrition prevalence varied from 3.1% to 4.2% and overweight risk from 4.0 to 4.8% in the different municipalities; information quality and System coverage, even when variable were consistent with epidemiological information. CONCLUSIONS: the SISVAN-SP applicative developed by SES/SP and used to monitor the nutritional condition of children up to five years old seen at the Primary Health Units was considered useful to assess and discuss aspects of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN), such as data coverage and quality. Results support decision making aimed at childrens weight prevention and control.

Associations of maternal personal exposure to air pollution on fetal weight and fetoplacental Doppler: A prospective cohort study

We determined the influence of maternal air pollution exposure during each trimester of pregnancy on fetal and birth weight and fetoplacental hemodynamics. In total, 366 women with singleton pregnancies were prospectively followed in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were measured during each trimester using passive personal samplers. We evaluated fetal weight and Doppler velocimetry data from the umbilical, middle cerebral, and uterine arteries in the 3rd trimester, and birth weight. Multivariate analysis was performed, controlling for known determinants of fetal weight. Exposure to higher levels of O3 during the 2nd trimester was associated with higher umbilical artery pulsatility indices (PIs) [p=0.013; beta=0.017: standard error (SE)=0.007]. Exposure to higher levels of O3 during the 3rd trimester was associated with lower umbilical artery PIs (p=0.011; beta=-0.021; SE=0.008). Our results suggest that in the environment of São Paulo, O3 may affects placental vascular resistance.

Short-Term Exposure to Urban Air Pollution and Influences on Placental Vascularization Indexes

Background: It has been widely demonstrated that air pollution can affect human health and that certain pollutant gases lead to adverse obstetric outcomes, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Objectives: We evaluated the influence of individual maternal exposure to air pollution on placental volume and vascularization evaluated in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on low-risk pregnant women living in São Paulo, Brazil. The women carried passive personal NO2 and O3 monitors in the week preceding evaluation. We employed the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) technique using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound to evaluate placental volume and placental vascular indexes [vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI)]. We analyzed the influence of pollutant levels on log-transformed placental vascularization and volume using multiple regression models. Results: We evaluated 229 patients. Increased NO2 levels had a significant negative association with log of VI (p = 0.020 and beta = –0.153) and VFI (p = 0.024 and beta = –0.151). NO2 and O3 had no influence on the log of placental volume or FI. Conclusions: NO2, an estimator of primary air pollutants, was significantly associated with diminished VI and VFI in the first trimester of pregnancy. Citation: Hettfleisch K, Bernardes LS, Carvalho MA, Pastro LD, Vieira SE, Saldiva SR, Saldiva P, Francisco RP. 2017. Short-term exposure to urban air pollution and influences on placental vascularization indexes. Environ Health Perspect 125:753–759;u2002http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP300

Situation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in a medium-sized municipality in the Ribeira Valley, São Paulo

This cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic and feeding information of infants aged less than oneyear who participated in the 2011 multiple vaccine campaign. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding wereanalyzed by indicators proposed by the World Health Organization. The association between outcomes (exclusivebreastfeeding and introduction to complementary feeding) and the explanatory variables (maternal and childcharacteristics) was investigated by the Poisson model with a robust error variance.

Dietary patterns are influenced by socio-demographic conditions of women in childbearing age: a cohort study of pregnant women

BackgroundWomen’s health during their reproductive years and whilst pregnant has implications for their children’s health, both in utero and during childhood. Associations of women’s pre-pregnancy dietary patterns (DP) with maternal socio-demographic characteristics and nutrient intake were investigated in ProcriAr cohort study in São Paulo/Brazil, 2012.MethodsThe DPs of 454 women were investigated by principal component factor analysis, using dietary information from a validated 110-item food frequency questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models identified independent associations between DPs and maternal socio-demographic characteristics and Spearman’s correlation determined associations between DPs and nutrients intake.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 26.1xa0years (standard deviationu2009=u20096.3), 10.3% had more than 8xa0years of formal education, 30% were migrants from outside of the Southeast of Brazil, 48% were employed, 13% were smokers, and 51% were overweight/obese. Four DPs were derived: ‘Lentils, whole grains and soups,’ ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks,’ ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats,’ and ‘Sweetened juices, bread and butter, rice and beans’. The ‘Lentils, whole grains and soups’ score was positively related to maternal age, being non-smoker and born in the South, North or Midwest of Brazil. The ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks’ score was positively related to higher maternal education, and negatively related to age, lack of formal work and being born in the Northeast region. The ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats’ score was positively related to higher maternal education. The ‘Sweetened juices, bread and butter, rice and beans’ score was positively related to unemployment and to no family history of hypertension, and negatively related to maternal overweight and obesity. Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, foods that require preparation, nutrients from one-carbon metabolism, protein, iron, calcium and vitamin D were correlated with the ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats’. Dietary intake of sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages, industrialized and takeaway foods, and foods rich in sugar, energy, fat, and synthetic folate were correlated with the ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks’.ConclusionsFindings from this study add perspectives to be considered in the implementation of health interventions, which could improve women’s nutritional status and provide an adequate environment for the developing fetus.

Longitudinal study of lung function in pregnant women: Influence of parity and smoking

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pulmonary function in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and analyze the influence of parity and smoking on spirometry parameters. METHODS: This longitudinal prospective study included a cohort of 120 pregnant women. The inclusion criteria were as follows: singleton pregnancy, gestational age less than 13.86 weeks, and no preexisting maternal diseases. The exclusion criteria were as follows: change of address, abortion, and inadequate spirometry testing. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02807038. RESULTS: A decrease in values of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume were noted in the first second from the first to third trimester. In the first and third trimesters, multiparous women demonstrated lower absolute forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume values in the first second compared with nulliparous women (p<0.0001 and p=0.001, respectively). Multiparous women demonstrated reduced forced expiratory flow in 25% to 75% of the maneuver compared with nulliparous women in the first (p=0.005) and third (p=0.031) trimesters. The absolute values of forced expiratory flow in 25% to 75%, forced expiratory volume in the first second and predicted peak expiratory flow values in the third trimester were higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers (p=0.042, p=0.039, p=0.024, and p=0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was a significant reduction in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume values in the first second during pregnancy. Parity and smoking significantly influence spirometric variables.

Small-Scale Variations in Urban Air Pollution Levels Are Significantly Associated with Premature Births: A Case Study in São Paulo, Brazil

Premature birth is the result of a complex interaction among genetic, epigenetic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. We evaluated the possible associations between air pollution and the incidence of prematurity in spatial clusters of high and low prevalence in the municipality of São Paulo. It is a spatial case-control study. The residential addresses of mothers with live births that occurred in 2012 and 2013 were geo-coded. A spatial scan statistical test performed to identify possible low-prevalence and high-prevalence clusters of premature births. After identifying, the spatial clusters were drawn samples of cases and controls in each cluster. Mothers were interviewed face-to-face using questionnaires. Air pollution exposure was assessed by passive tubes (NO2 and O3) as well as by the determination of trace elements’ concentration in tree bark. Binary logistic regression models were applied to determine the significance of the risk of premature birth. Later prenatal care, urinary infection, and hypertension were individual risk factors for prematurity. Particles produced by traffic emissions (estimated by tree bark accumulation) and photochemical pollutants involved in the photochemical cycle (estimated by O3 and NO2 passive tubes) also exhibited significant and robust risks for premature births. The results indicate that air pollution is an independent risk factor for prematurity.

Feeding and nutritional profiles of children at 12 months of age living in the western region of the city of Sao Paulo: The Procriar Project

Objective To analyze the feeding profiles, nutritional statuses and influences of maternal characteristics on food consumption of infants at the end of the first year of life. Methods This is a cross-sectional study nested within a cohort of pregnant women that evaluated children with a mean age of 12.1 months. The weights and lengths were measured, and the body mass index was calculated. Food consumption was obtained through 24-hour recall and was assessed qualitatively. The outcomes studied dichotomously (yes/no) were overweight (body mass index ≥+2 Z-scores), consumption of foods considered unhealthy (i.e., sugar, petit suisse cheese, sandwich crackers, and soft drinks), consumption of fruits, legumes