Work

Association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and infant mortality in a North Carolina birth cohort (2003–2015)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: While the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and adult mortality is well established, few studies have examined the association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and infant mortality. Methods: We conducted an unmatched case–control study of 5992 infant mortality cases and 60,000 randomly selected controls from a North Carolina birth cohort (2003–2015). PM2.5 during critical exposure periods (trimesters, pregnancy, first month alive) was estimated using residential address and a national spatiotemporal model at census block centroid. We fit adjusted logistic regression models and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Due to differences in PM2 .5 over time, we stratified analyses into two periods: 2003–2009 (mean = 12.1 µg/m3, interquartile range [IQR]: 10.8–13.5) and 2011–2015 (mean = 8.4 µg/m3, IQR: 7.7–9.0). We assessed effect measure modification by birthing parent race/ethnicity, full-term birth, and PM2.5 concentrations. Results: For births 2003–2015, the odds of infant mortality increased by 12% (95% CI: 1.06, 1.17) per 4.0 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure averaged over the pregnancy. After stratifying, we observed an increase of 4% (95% CI: 0.95, 1.14) for births in 2003–2009 and a decrease of 15% (95% CI: 0.72, 1.01) for births in 2011–2015. Among infants with higher PM2.5 exposure (≥12 µg/m3) during pregnancy, the odds of infant mortality increased (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 2.17, 3.34) whereas the lower exposure (<8 µg/m3) group reported decreased odds (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.89). Conclusions: We observed differing associations of PM2.5 exposure with infant mortality across higher versus lower PM2.5 concentrations. Research findings suggest the importance of accounting for long-term trends of decreasing PM2.5 concentrations in future research.

Source: Environmental Epidemiology

DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000350

Authors: Sonya M. Jampel, Joel Kaufman, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Adrien A. Wilkie, Amanda J. Gassett, Thomas J. Luben

Institutions: Environmental Protection Agency, University of Washington

Language: English

Topic: Air Quality and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200