Maternal ambient air pollution, preterm birth and markers of fetal growth in Rhode Island: results of a hospital-based linkage study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with higher risk of preterm birth and reduced fetal growth, but heterogeneity among prior studies suggests that additional studies are needed in diverse populations and settings. We examined the associations between maternal ambient air pollution levels, risk of preterm birth and markers of fetal growth in an urban population with relatively low exposure to air pollution.

METHODS:

We linked 61 640 mother-infant pairs who delivered at a single hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, from 2002 to 2012 to birth certificate and hospital discharge data. We used spatial-temporal models and stationary monitors to estimate exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) during pregnancy. Using generalised linear models, we evaluated the association between pollutant levels, risk of preterm birth and markers of fetal growth.

RESULTS:

In adjusted models, an IQR (2.5 µg/m3) increase in pregnancy-average PM2.5 was associated with ORs of preterm birth of 1.04 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.15) and 0.86 (0.76 to 0.98) when considering modelled and monitored PM2.5, respectively. An IQR increase in modelled and monitored PM2.5 was associated with a 12.1 g (95% CI -24.2 to -0.1) and 15.9 g (95% CI -31.6 to -0.3) lower birth weight. Results for BC were highly sensitive to choice of exposure metric.

CONCLUSION:

In a population with relatively low exposures to ambient air pollutants, PM2.5 was associated with reduced birth weight but not with risk of preterm birth.

• Authors: Samantha L Kingsley, Melissa N Eliot, Kimberly Glazer, Yara Abu Awad, Joel D Schwartz, David A Savitz, Karl T Kelsey, Carmen J Marsit, Gregory A Wellenius
• Journal: Journal of epidemiology and community health (J Epidemiol Community Health) Vol. 71 Issue 12 Pg. 1131-1136 (Dec 2017) ISSN: 1470-2738 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28947670 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants
• Particulate Matter

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants (adverse effects, analysis)
• Air Pollution (adverse effects, statistics & numerical data)
• Birth Weight (drug effects)
• Environmental Exposure (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Fetal Development (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Infant, Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Maternal Exposure (adverse effects, statistics & numerical data)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Particulate Matter (adverse effects, analysis)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome (epidemiology)
• Premature Birth (epidemiology)
• Rhode Island