A groundbreaking study from Emory University reveals the dangerous connection between air pollution and pregnancy complications. Researchers discovered that exposure to tiny particles can significantly disrupt maternal metabolic processes, potentially triggering premature births. The study identified specific molecular changes that increase early childbirth risks, offering new insights into environmental health challenges. These findings could pave the way for future preventative strategies and clinical interventions to protect maternal and infant health.
June 06, 2025
Maternal exposure to toxic air during pregnancy can raise premature birth risk: Study
"If we can figure out the 'why' and 'how' then
we can know better how to address it" - Donghai Liang, Lead Researcher
Maternal exposure to toxic air during pregnancy can
raise premature birth risk: Study
Exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution
during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological
pathways, according to a study.
Key Points
1 Toxic
air particles can alter key maternal biological pathways
2 10% of
global preterm births linked to PM2.5 exposure
3 Two key
substances identified as premature birth risk factors
4 Study
analyzed blood samples from 330 pregnant women
These changes were associated with an increased risk
of various negative birth outcomes, including premature birth, said researchers
from Emory University.
Preterm birth is also linked to complications such
as cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, and long-term noncommunicable
disease risks, while early-term births (37-39 weeks of gestation) are also
associated with increased neonatal morbidity and developmental challenges.
Approximately 10 per cent of the preterm births in
the world are attributable to PM2.5 exposure.
"The link between air pollution and premature
birth has been well established, but for the first time we were able to look at
the detailed pathway and specific fine particles to identify how they are
reflected in the increased risk of adverse birth outcomes," said lead
author Donghai Liang, and associate professor of environmental health at the
varsity’s Rollins School of Public Health.
"This is important because if we can figure out
the 'why' and 'how' then we can know better how to address it," Liang
added.
The study, which analysed blood samples provided by
330 pregnant women, identified two substances -- cortexolone and lysoPE -- as
factors in the relationship between short-term air pollution exposure and
elevated risk of early births, offering a potential mechanism through which air
pollution triggers premature labour.
The study highlighted disruptions in protein
digestion and absorption -- which are vital to foetal development and immune
function -- as potential links between air pollution and early births, also
offering new potential targets for prevention efforts.
Of the 330 women who participated in the study, 66
(20 per cent) delivered preterm babies and 54 (16.4 per cent) delivered
early-term babies, both of which are significantly higher than the prevalence
in the general US population.
The researchers said it is critical to gain a better
understanding of these pathways and molecules affected by pollution.
“In the future, we may be able to target some of
these molecules to develop effective strategies or clinical interventions that
could help reduce these adverse health effects," Liang noted.
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