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

• Authors: Samantha L. Kingsley, Brown University; Melissa N. Eliot, Brown University; Kimberly Glazer, Brown University; Yara Abu Awad, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health; Joel D. Schwartz, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health; David A. Savitz, Brown University; Karl T. Kelsey, Brown University; Carmen Marsit, Emory University; Gregory A. Wellenius, Brown University
• Journal Title: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
• Volume: Volume 71, Number 12
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group | 2017-12-01, Pages 1131-1136
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2017-208963
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Pathology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; FINE PARTICULATE MATTER; PREGNANCY OUTCOMES; NITROGEN-DIOXIDE; TERM BIRTH; NEW-YORK; EXPOSURE; WEIGHT; PM2.5; RISK; ASSOCIATIONS

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 (PM 2.5) 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/m 3) increase in pregnancy-average PM 2.5 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 PM 2.5, respectively. An IQR increase in modelled and monitored PM 2.5 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, PM 2.5 was associated with reduced birth weight but not with risk of preterm birth.