Association between residential green spaces and pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Residential exposure to greenness has shown positive influences on pregnancy outcomes like birth weight, preterm births, and small to gestational age (SGA) deliveries. We aimed to comprehensively review and investigate these associations by conducting a systematic review with meta-analysis. Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases before June 2023. Summary effect estimates included birth weight, low birth weight (LBW), preterm births, and SGA which were calculated for 0.1 unit increase in residential greenness exposure. Overall quality of the evidence was examined through Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. The review included 31 articles and found a statistically significant increase in birth weight measured at 250 m buffer distance (β = 8.95, 95% CI = 1.63–16.27). Green spaces were also associated with lower odds of LBW (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.98). Residential greenness had positive impacts on pregnancy outcomes that calls for emphasis on urban planning, especially in developing countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Birthweight
• low birthweight
• preterm births
• residential greenness
• small for gestational age

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the editor and reviewers for taking time out and further improving the quality of this work through constructive feedback.

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All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and have approved its submission.

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All data published in this article are available from corresponding author on written request.

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