Air Pollution and Aeroallergens as Possible Triggers in Preterm Birth Delivery

Enrico Cocchi, Valeria Bellisario, Francesco Cresi, Claudio Plazzotta, Claudio Cassardo, Consolata Siniscalco, Licia Peruzzi and Roberto Bono ()
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Enrico Cocchi: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Valeria Bellisario: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Francesco Cresi: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sant’Anna Obstetric Gynecological Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
Claudio Plazzotta: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sant’Anna Obstetric Gynecological Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
Claudio Cassardo: Physics Department, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Consolata Siniscalco: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
Licia Peruzzi: Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
Roberto Bono: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Preterm birth (PTB) identifies infants prematurely born <37 weeks/gestation and is one of the main causes of infant mortality. PTB has been linked to air pollution exposure, but its timing is still unclear and neglects the acute nature of delivery and its association with short-term effects. We analyzed 3 years of birth data (2015–2017) in Turin (Italy) and the relationships with proinflammatory chemicals (PM2.5, O 3 , and NO 2 ) and biological (aeroallergens) pollutants on PTB vs. at-term birth, in the narrow window of a week before delivery. A tailored non-stationary Poisson model correcting for seasonality and possible confounding variables was applied. Relative risk associated with each pollutant was assessed at any time lag between 0 and 7 days prior to delivery. PTB risk was significantly associated with increased levels of both chemical (PM2.5, RR = 1.023 (1.003–1.043), O 3 , 1.025 (1.001–1.048)) and biological (aeroallergens, RR ~ 1.01 (1.0002–1.016)) pollutants in the week prior to delivery. None of these, except for NO 2 (RR = 1.01 (1.002–1.021)), appeared to play any role on at-term delivery. Pollutant-induced acute inflammation eliciting delivery in at-risk pregnancies may represent the pathophysiological link between air pollution and PTB, as testified by the different effects played on PTB revealed. Further studies are needed to better elucidate a possible exposure threshold to prevent PTB.

Keywords: public health; preterm birth; newborn; acute inflammation; delivery; air pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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