Authors:
Pereira G, Bell ML, Belanger K, de Klerk N
Authors notes:
Environment International. 2014;73:143-9
Keywords:
Pre-labor rupture of membranes, Pregnancy outcomes, Preterm birth, Fine particulate matter
Abstract:
A recent longitudinal study reported an association between fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and preterm birth (PTB) in a US cohort.
We applied the same design to an Australian cohort to investigate associations with PTB and pre-labor rupture of membranes (PROM).
For PROM adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for a 1μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 in the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and whole pregnancy were 1.00, 1.03, 1.02, and 1.02 respectively.
For PTB, corresponding ORs were 1.00, 1.00, 0.98, and 0.99 respectively.
Risk of PROM was greater for pregnancies with elevated PM2.5 exposure in the second trimester than were other pregnancies to the same Australian women at lower exposure.
There was insufficient evidence for an association with PTB, indicating that a longer time period might be needed to observe an association if a causal effect exists.