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Effects of a liquefied petroleum gas stove and fuel intervention on head circumference and length at birth: A multi-country household air pollution intervention network (HAPIN) trial

Introduction

For millions of households worldwide, traditional cooking methods using wood, charcoal, or dung remain the primary source of fuel. While these fuels provide energy, they also generate high levels of household air pollution (HAP)—a major risk factor for respiratory diseases, poor pregnancy outcomes, and child development issues.

The HAPIN (Household Air Pollution Intervention Network) trial, a groundbreaking multi-country study, examines whether switching to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves can improve newborn health, particularly focusing on head circumference and length at birth.

Why Birth Size Matters

Head circumference and length at birth are key indicators of fetal growth and brain development. Smaller measurements are often linked to:
🔹 Higher risk of neonatal mortality
🔹 Lower cognitive development in childhood
🔹 Increased risk of chronic diseases later in life

Could reducing household air pollution with clean cooking solutions lead to better birth outcomes? The HAPIN trial investigates this important question.

The HAPIN Study: Design and Implementation

The HAPIN trial is a randomized controlled study conducted across four countries:
🌎 Guatemala
🌎 India
🌎 Peru
🌎 Rwanda

The study enrolled pregnant women in households using solid fuels and randomly assigned some to receive LPG stoves and free fuel throughout pregnancy. Researchers then compared the birth size (head circumference and length) of babies born in intervention vs. control groups.

Key Findings: Did LPG Improve Birth Size?

✅ Reduction in Household Air Pollution: Households using LPG had significantly lower exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and carbon monoxide (CO)—major pollutants linked to poor birth outcomes.

✅ Improved Birth Length, but Limited Head Circumference Changes:
🔹 Some regions showed slightly longer newborn length in the LPG group.
🔹 However, the effect on head circumference was not significant, suggesting other factors (e.g., nutrition, maternal health) may play a stronger role.

✅ Potential Long-Term Benefits: While immediate birth outcomes showed moderate improvements, reducing air pollution exposure during pregnancy could have long-term benefits for child growth and cognitive function.

Why the Impact Might Be Modest

While cleaner cooking fuels reduce airborne toxins, birth outcomes are also shaped by:
🔸 Maternal nutrition and health
🔸 Prenatal care access
🔸 Genetic and environmental factors

Thus, a single intervention (like switching to LPG) may not be enough to fully optimize birth size but remains a critical step toward healthier pregnancies.

                                                                  


The Bigger Picture: Clean Cooking for a Healthier Future

🔹 3 billion people still rely on polluting fuels for cooking.
🔹 Indoor air pollution contributes to over 4 million premature deaths annually.
🔹 Transitioning to clean energy (LPG, electric, or biogas) is essential for maternal and infant health worldwide.

Final Thoughts

The HAPIN trial highlights the importance of clean cooking interventions for newborn health. While LPG adoption alone may not drastically change birth size, it reduces pollution exposure, setting the stage for better long-term health outcomes.

Moving forward, integrating clean energy solutions with maternal health programs could amplify benefits—helping ensure that every baby gets the healthiest start in life.

30th Edition of International Research Conference on Science Health and Engineering | 28-29 March 2025 | San Francisco, United States

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