Assisted Reproduction PersonalAirQuality Monitoring:A feasibility stud
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Periconception exposure to air pollution and birth outcomes; a feasibility study investigating personal exposures in couples undergoing IVF by using portable monitors
IRAS ID
290180
Contact name
Halah Aljofi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
FMHS Research Office
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Birth outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and fetal growth restriction, have received increasing public health attention and long gained great interest in the environmental health field because of their significant short- and long-term health implications. Preterm birth, small for gestational age, and low birth weight have been associated with urban air pollution; these have been widely examined during pregnancy periods. What is not yet clear enough is the impact of air pollution exposure on birth outcomes before the conception period. The overall aim of this study will be to better understand the association between personal exposure to air pollution, examining the period before conception, and birth outcomes. Particularly, this pilot study will focus on examining the feasibility of measuring personal exposure to air pollutants in couples undergoing IVF treatment across Greater Manchester. This will be achieved by using multiple approaches: such as a self-administered questionnaire to collect the contributing factors, and a portable air quality monitor to measure the individual-level exposure to air pollution during the participants' treatment period. Patients who are newly attending for ART treatment at Old St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester are eligible for the study. This feasibility study will determine whether personal air monitoring is a feasible option amongst this population. Further, it might lead to a better understanding of environmental factors that can enhance susceptibility of IVF population to adverse birth outcomes and develop interventions that could improve birth outcomes.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0279
Date of REC Opinion
30 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion