Spatial-temporal modeling of the association between air pollution exposure and preterm birth: identifying critical windows of exposure.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to high levels of air pollution during the pregnancy is associated with increased probability of preterm birth (PTB), a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality. New statistical methodology is required to specifically determine when a particular pollutant impacts the PTB outcome, to determine the role of different pollutants, and to characterize the spatial variability in these results. We develop a new Bayesian spatial model for PTB which identifies susceptible windows throughout the pregnancy jointly for multiple pollutants (PM(2.5) , ozone) while allowing these windows to vary continuously across space and time. We geo-code vital record birth data from Texas (2002-2004) and link them with standard pollution monitoring data and a newly introduced EPA product of calibrated a

SUBMITTER: Warren J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3422613 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature