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While the associations among ambient pollutants and various pregnancy complications are well documented, the effect of ambient pollutants on intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has not been examined. This study aimed to explore the effects of ambient pollutants and sunshine duration on ICP. The study enrolled 169,971 pregnant women who delivered between 2015 and 2020 in two hospitals. The associations between ICP and exposure to ambient pollutants and sunshine duration, averaged throughout different periods (including the 3 months before conception, 1st trimester and 2nd trimester), were estimated using a generalized linear model. The interaction effects of ambient pollutants and sunshine duration on ICP were estimated. The fitted curves for ICP incidence were similar to the temporal trends of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , CO and NO 2 but not that of O 3. The risk of ICP was significantly elevated following a 10-μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 (aOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 1.057, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.017–1.099) and PM 10 (aOR = 1.043, 95% CI: 1.013–1.074) and a 1-h decrease in sunshine duration (aOR = 1.039, 95% CI: 1.011–1.068) during the 3 months before conception. In the second trimester, a 1-μg/m3 increase in the concentration of SO 2 was associated with an increased risk of ICP (aOR = 1.011, 95% CI: 1.001–1.021). Increased concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 had interactive effects with reduced sunshine duration during the 3 months before conception on increasing the risk of ICP. Exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 during the 3 months before conception and exposure to SO 2 in the second trimester were associated with an increased ICP risk. Reduced sunshine duration had an interactive effect with increased concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 during the 3 months before conception on the occurrence of ICP. [Display omitted] • This is the first study to explore the effects of air pollutants on ICP. • Three months preconception is a sensitive exposure window for PM on ICP. • PM 2.5 and PM 10 interact with less sunshine duration to increase the risk of ICP. • Increased concentrations of SO 2 in the 2nd trimester aggregate the risk of ICP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women are vulnerable to depression during postpartum period. While several studies have shown associations between ambient air pollution exposure and depression in general population, there was few studies focused on the effect of various air pollutants on postpartum depression (PPD). This study is designed to explore the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and PPD, and to reveal the potential vulnerable exposure time point. The study enrolled 10,209 pregnant women who delivered between October 2019 and February 2021 in 5 participating hospitals from 3 cities in China. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered at 6 weeks postpartum to identify PPD symptoms. Associations between PPD symptoms and exposure levels in PM 2.5 , PM 10, SO 2 , CO, NO 2 , and O 3 averaged over the whole pregnancy and each trimester were estimated using logistic regression models after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Distributed lag models (DLMs) were used to determine the relevant associations in each gestational week. The risk for developing PPD symptoms was significant following a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 10 (aOR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.36–1.59), NO 2 (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI:1.44–1.85), and 0.1 mg/m3 increase in CO (aOR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.99–2.69) during the whole pregnancy. Similar results were also found in exposure during each trimester of pregnancy. Besides, SO 2 exposure during the second trimester was a major risk factor for developing PPD symptoms (aOR = 1.10, 95%CI:1.03–1.18). Consistent effects were also observed in DLMs, except for PM 2.5 and O 3 , which showed no significant sensitive windows throughout pregnancy period. Exposure to PM 10 , CO, NO 2 , and SO 2 in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of developing depression at 6 weeks postpartum. Our findings reveal the importance of air pollution control for preventing maternal mental health disorders among the public. [Display omitted] • Exposure to PM10, NO2 and CO in pregnancy increased risk of developing depression at 6 weeks postpartum. •The second trimester of pregnancy was the most susceptible period for developing PPD when exposed to SO2. •Prenatal exposure to multiple ambient air pollutants may contribute to development of PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]