Maternal perinatal noise exposure and risk of congenital heart disease: a case-control study in Northwest China

Abstract

Abstract Background: In recent years, congenital heart disease (CHD) has emerged as the predominant birth defect. This study seeks to explore the correlation between maternal perinatal noise exposure and the occurrence of CHD in their offspring. Methods:A case-control investigation encompassed 589 cases and 1193 controls, conducted in six tertiary hospitals in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Northwest China. The link between maternal periconceptional noise exposure and the occurrence of CHD in offspring was evaluated by estimating the odds ratio (OR) through a multifactorial logistic regression model. Additionally, we employed restricted cubic spline curves to delineate the nonlinear relationship between the duration of noise exposure and the incidence of CHD. Results: After accounting for confounding variables, maternal periconceptional noise exposure demonstrated an association with an elevated risk of CHD in offspring (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.36,2.40). In comparison to pregnant women not exposed to noise, the duration of noise exposure was linked to an increased risk of CHD in offspring (4 ~ ≤8 hours/day: OR=3.24, 95% CI: 2.02,5.20; >8 hours/day: OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.19,3.58), and exposure to various noise sources was associated with an augmented risk of CHD in offspring (traffic: OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.20,2.56; construction and industrial production: OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.29,3.50). The analysis using restricted cubic spline curves revealed a positive correlation between the duration of noise exposure and the risk of CHD. Furthermore, residing closer to a major traffic artery (≤50 meters) during pregnancy was linked to a heightened risk of CHD in the fetus (OR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.66,3.19). Similarly, proximity to a construction site (≤500 meters) was associated with an increased risk of CHD in the fetus (OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.37,2.85). Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that maternal noise exposure during pregnancy elevates the risk of CHD in offspring. Furthermore, exposure to traffic and construction noise, and longer durations of noise exposure were more strongly associated with the risk of CHD in the offspring.