Maternal exposure to environmental noise: current evidence on pregnancy outcomes

Noise pollution has become an important public health issue, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to environmental noise during pregnancy may be associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, gestational hypertension, and impaired fetal development. This review summarizes current evidence on the effects of environmental noise exposure during pregnancy and discusses major sources such as traffic, industrial activities, and construction work. Potential mechanisms include stress-related hormonal changes, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular effects that may adversely affect the intrauterine environment. Although growing evidence supports these associations, important gaps remain regarding dose-response relationships, long-term effects on offspring, and the influence of socioeconomic and geographic factors. Greater awareness and further research may help improve reproductive health outcomes and support the development of effective public health policies.