Ambient Air Pollution, Extreme Temperatures and Birth Outcomes: A Protocol for an Umbrella Review, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu, Gizachew Assefa Tessema, Ben Mullins, Bernard Kumi-Boateng, Michelle Lee Bell and Gavin Pereira
Additional contact information
Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu: Education, Culture and Health Opportunities (ECHO) Ghana, ECHO Research Group International, P. O. Box 424, Aflao, Ghana
Gizachew Assefa Tessema: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
Ben Mullins: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
Bernard Kumi-Boateng: Department of Geomatic Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, P.O. Box 237, Tarkwa, Ghana
Michelle Lee Bell: School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Gavin Pereira: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: Prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and extreme temperatures are among the major risk factors of adverse birth outcomes and with potential long-term effects during the life course. Although low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are most vulnerable, there is limited synthesis of evidence in such settings. This document describes a protocol for both an umbrella review (Systematic Review 1) and a focused systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from LMICs (Systematic Review 2). We will search from start date of each database to present, six major academic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE/Ovid, EMBASE/Ovid and Web of Science Core Collection), systematic reviews repositories and references of eligible studies. Additional searches in grey literature will also be conducted. Eligibility criteria include studies of pregnant women exposed to ambient air pollutants and/or extreme temperatures during pregnancy with and without adverse birth outcomes. The umbrella review (Systematic Review 1) will include only previous systematic reviews while Systematic Review 2 will include quantitative observational studies in LMICs. Searches will be restricted to English language using comprehensive search terms to consecutively screen the titles, abstracts and full-texts to select eligible studies. Two independent authors will conduct the study screening and selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction using JBI SUMARI web-based software. Narrative and semi-quantitative syntheses will be employed for the Systematic Review 1. For Systematic Review 2, we will perform meta-analysis with two alternative meta-analytical methods (quality effect and inverse variance heterogeneity) as well as the classic random effect model. If meta-analysis is infeasible, narrative synthesis will be presented. Confidence in cumulative evidence and the strength of the evidence will be assessed. This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020200387).

Keywords: ambient air pollution; temperature; birth outcomes; perinatal outcomes; umbrella review; systematic review; meta-analysis; low and middle-income countries; LMICs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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