Prenatal Exposure to PM2.5 Components and Preterm Birth

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to study maternal exposure to PM2.5 components and preterm birth. METHODS: Counts of hospitalizations due to preterm birth at the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang City were collected from 2014 to 2019. The daily number of hospitalizations and short-term exposure to five types of PM2.5 components were examined using a time-stratified case-crossover method. The overall mixture of PM2.5 components and its relationship with preterm birth were analyzed via Bayesian kernel regression. RESULTS: In the single-pollutant analyses, maternal exposed to components of PM2.5 had an increased risks per interquartile increase in concentration during lag 0-2 days. The mixed component analysis revealed exposure to a mixture of PM2.5 components increased the risk of preterm birth. BCs are the main factors affecting the overall effects. CONCLUSIONS: PM2.5 components may have a potential influence of preterm birth.