Wildfire Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Preterm Birth

Wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy linked to higher risk of preterm birth

About 10% of American babies are born prematurely. Birth before 37 weeks can lead to a cascade of health risks, both immediate and long-term, making prevention a vital tool for improving public health over generations.

UW-Led Study Links Wildfire Smoke to Increased Odds of Preterm Birth

In mid-pregnancy, exposure to any smoke was associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth, with that risk peaking around the 21st week of gestation. In late pregnancy, elevated risk was most closely associated with exposure to high concentrations of wildfire PM2.5, above 10 micrograms per cubic meter.