The Effects of Air Pollutants on Antenatal and Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Matern Child Health J. 2025 Oct 29. doi: 10.1007/s10995-025-04187-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between maternal depression and exposure to air pollution.

REVIEW METHODS: A meta-analysis following PRISMA methodology was conducted to examine the association between maternal depression and exposure to air pollution. From inception to February 2025, five online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO) were used to search studies. Summary estimates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the correlation between each pollutant and the risk of depression. We aggregated the cumulative estimates were pooled using random-effects models. To evaluate within-study heterogeneity, Cochran’s Q test and I² statistics were applied. Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed distinct associations between various air pollutants and depression. While no significant correlation was found for CO, PM_2.5 and SO_2, an elevated risk of depression was observed for PM₁₀ and NO₂ with every 10 µg/m3 increase in these pollutants. Surprisingly, O₃ was negatively associated with maternal depression.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis highlights air pollution as a potential risk factor for maternal depression, revealing variations in risk across different pollutants. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored interventions and the need for further research to gain a deeper understanding and effectively address the impact of air pollution on maternal mental health.

PMID:41160387 | DOI:10.1007/s10995-025-04187-3