241267 Particulate pollutants and racial/ethnic disparity in feto-infant morbidity outcomes

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hamisu Salihu, MD, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Nafisa Ghaji, MBBS, MPH , Division of blood disorders, National Center for Birth Defects and developmental disabilities., Centers for disease control and prevention., Atlanta, GA
Alfred Mbah, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Euna August, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Amina Alio, PhD , Department of Community & Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Boubakari Ibrahimou, PhD , Department of Public health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Purpose: To assess the association between air particulate pollutants [PM2.5, PM10 and the coarse fraction (PM10-PM2.5)] and feto-infant morbidity outcomes across racial/ethnic subgroups.

Hypotheses: 1.PM2.5, PM10 and the coarse fraction (PM10-PM2.5) impair fetal growth and development processes in utero leading to feto-infant morbidity outcomes (low birth weight, very low birth weight, small for gestational age, preterm and very preterm). 2.The impact of particulate air pollutants on feto-infant morbidity outcomes varies by race/ethnicity.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from 2002 through 2007 based on three linked databases: (1) The Florida Hospital Discharge database; (2) Vital statistics records of singleton live births in Florida; (3) Air pollution and meteorological data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Using computerized mathematical modeling techniques, we assigned exposure values of the air pollutants of interest [PM2.5, PM10 and the coarse fraction (PM10-PM2.5)] to mothers over the period of pregnancy based on Euclidean minimum distance from the air pollution monitoring sites. Primary outcomes of interest were: low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth, very preterm birth, and small for gestational age (SGA). We used adjusted odds ratios to approximate relative risks.

Results: We observed increased risk for overall feto-infant morbidity outcome in women exposed to any of the three particulate pollutants. Exposed women had increased odds for low birth weight, very low birth weight and preterm birth with the greatest risk being that for very low birth weight (OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.08-1.49). Black women exposed to any particulate pollutant had the greatest odds for all morbidity outcomes, most pronounced for very low birth weight (OR=3.32, 95% CI=2.56-4.30).

Conclusions: Environmental particulate pollutants are associated with adverse feto-infant outcomes among exposed women, especially blacks. Black-white disparity in adverse fetal outcomes is widened in the presence of these pollutants, which provide a target for intervention.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, the participant will be able to: 1.Explain the impact of air particulate pollutants [PM2.5, PM10 and the coarse fraction (PM10-PM2.5)] on feto-infant morbidity. 2.Describe the black-white disparity in adverse fetal outcomes associated with exposure to air particulate pollutants.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Birth Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I contributed to the development, analysis, and reporting of study findings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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