Author correction: Association between exposure to particulate matter during pregnancy and birthweight: A systematic review and a meta-analysis of birth cohort studies

The effect of prenatal exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) on birth weight varies considerably across studies, and the findings remain inconclusive. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the associations between exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ and birth weight. A total of 74 studies were identified through searches in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Ovid Medline, as well as a manual search, up to October 2024. We found that for each 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, the risk of low birth weight (LBW) increased significantly during the entire pregnancy (odds ratio OR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.99–2.91) and during all trimesters. Similarly, for every 10 μg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ concentration, the risk of LBW increased significantly during the entire pregnancy (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.16–1.84). Subgroup analysis by maternal age for PM_2.5 showed that mothers aged 30 and above had a significantly higher risk of LBW (OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 2.81–4.84), compared with those under 30. In conclusion, maternal exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was associated with an increased risk of LBW across all trimesters. Additionally, mothers aged 30 and above were at a higher risk of LBW, compared with younger mothers. Further research is needed to clarify the biological mechanisms by which PM pollution may contribute to LBW.