PM2.5 Exposure and Depression in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the association between particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and maternal depression during pregnancy. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we identified 7 eligible studies (n = 576,737 pregnancies). A random-effects meta-analysis revealed a pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.10–1.50) per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5, indicating a 29% higher risk of maternal depression. Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects across whole pregnancy (RR = 1.41). The study highlights PM2.5 as a significant risk factor for maternal depression, calling for further research, especially in low-income regions.