An Emory University study has uncovered how tiny particles in air pollution disrupt maternal metabolism, leading to an increased risk of premature and early-term births. Understanding these pathways could pave the way for targeted interventions.
A new study by researchers at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health has established a molecular link between fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and negative pregnancy outcomes.
Published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the research reveals that exposure to these tiny particles during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolism, affecting key biological pathways and increasing the risk of preterm and early-term births.
Groundbreaking Findings
The study, led by Donghai Liang, an associate professor of environmental health at the Rollins School of Public Health, analyzed blood samples from 330 pregnant women in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
It is believed to be the first study to investigate how PM2.5 exposure impacts the metabolism of expecting mothers and contributes to adverse birth outcomes.
“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,” Liang said in a news release. “This is important because if we can figure out the ‘why’ and ‘how’ then we can know better how to address it.”
Why This Matters
Past studies have shown that pregnant women and fetuses are highly vulnerable to PM2.5 exposure.
Particles emitted from sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial processes and wildfires have been linked to preterm births. Preterm birth, occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, is the leading global cause of death in children under five and is associated with severe complications like cerebral palsy and respiratory distress syndrome.
Early-term births (37-39 weeks) also carry risks of neonatal morbidity and developmental issues.
Previous research estimates that about 10% of global preterm births are attributable to PM2.5 exposure.
Key Findings
The Emory study identified significant disruptions in energy and amino acid metabolism.
Two substances — cortexolone and lysoPE(20:3) — were strongly associated with short-term air pollution exposure and the risk of early births, revealing potential mechanisms through which air pollution triggers premature labor.
These findings highlight notable disruptions in protein digestion and absorption, vital for fetal development and immune function. This new insight offers potential targets for preventive strategies.
Statistical Insights
Out of the 330 participants, 66 women (20%) delivered preterm babies and 54 (16.4%) had early-term births. These rates are substantially higher than the national average in the United States.
Expert Perspectives
“As an air pollution scientist, I do not think air pollution is going away anytime soon. Even at lower levels, we continue to see harmful health effects, but we can’t just ask people to simply move away from highly polluted areas,” Liang added. “So, from a clinical intervention standpoint, that’s why it’s critical to gain a better understanding on 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.”
Source: Emory University