Short-term effects of ambient temperature on preterm birth: a time-series analysis in Xuzhou, China

Highlight：采用时间序列分析量化评估徐州地区气温与早产的病因关联，为进一步开展气象因素与空气污染物对母婴健康影响提供了路径，拓展了孕期保健研究内容。

Abstract

To date, research evidence suggests that extreme ambient temperatures may lead to preterm birth. Since the results of studies in subtropical humid monsoon climate are inconclusive, we investigated the association between extreme ambient temperatures and the risk of preterm birth in Xuzhou, China. We analyzed the association between the birth data of 103,876 singleton deliveries (from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019) and ambient temperature. We used a quasi-Poisson model with distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) to investigate the delay and nonlinear effects of temperature, taking into account the effects of air pollutants and relative humidity. During the study period, the number of hospitalizations for preterm birth was 4623. Taking the median temperature (16.8 °C) as a reference, the highest risk estimate at extreme cold temperature (- 2.8 °C, 1st percentile) was found at lag 0-1 days. Exposure to extreme cold (- 2.8 °C, 1st percentile), or moderate cold (6.8 °C, 25th percentile) were associated with 1.659 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.177-2.338) and 1.456 (95% CI 1.183-1.790) increased risks of preterm birth, respectively. In the further stratified analysis of the age of pregnant women, we found that there were significant associations between cold temperatures and preterm birth in both groups (older group ≥ 35; younger group < 35). In a subtropical humid monsoon climate, low ambient temperatures may lead to preterm birth, suggesting that women should stay away from low temperatures during pregnancy.

Cheng P, Peng L, Hao J, Li S, Zhang C, Dou L, Fu W, Yang F, Hao J. Short-term effects of ambient temperature on preterm birth: a time-series analysis in Xuzhou, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int[IF=3.056]. 2020 Oct 19.