Abstract
Changes in the preconception ambient temperature (PAT) can affect the gametogenesis, disturbing the development of the embryo, but the health risks of PAT on the developing fetus are still unclear. Here, based on the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in the rural areas of Henan Province, we evaluate the effects of PAT on preterm birth (PTB). Data of 1,231,715 records from self-reported interviews, preconception physical examination, early gestation follow-up, and postpartum follow-up were collected from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016. Generalized additive models were used to assess the cumulative and lag effects of PAT upon PTB. The significant cumulative effects of mean temperature within 2 weeks and 3 weeks on the risk of PTB, especially upon late PTB (34–36 weeks) (P < 0.05), were observed. Exposure to extreme heat (> 90th percentile) within 2 weeks (RR = 1.470) and 3 weeks (RR = 1.375) before conception could increase the risk of PTB. After stratifying PTB, exposure to extreme heat within 2 weeks before conception can increase the risks of early (< 34 weeks) and late PTB (P < 0.05). Besides, exposure to extreme cold (< 10th percentile) within 3 weeks or longer before conception can elevate the risk of PTB, especially late PTB. The significant lag effects of temperature changes on the risk of early PTB (lag-8 days or earlier) were observed. In conclusion, the risk of PTB was susceptible to PAT changes within 2 weeks or longer before conception. Our findings provide (i) guidance for rural couples to make pregnancy plans and (ii) scientific evidence for the government to formulate policies to prevent PTB.
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Data availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project, but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project.
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Acknowledgments
We appreciated the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in Henan Province. Thanks for all staffs who contributed to this research during the previous investigation and data curation.
Funding
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81972981 & 81673116), the Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province (202102310622), and the Opening Foundation of National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention (ZD202001).
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Guoyu Zhou: Conceptualization, writing—original draft, formal analysis, funding acquisition. Meng Yang: Methodology, writing—original draft, visualization. Jian Chai: Software, resources, data curation, writing—review and editing. Renjie Sun: Methodology, visualization, writing—review and editing. Junxi Zhang: Resources, investigation, writing—review and editing. Hui Huang: Validation, writing—review and editing. Yawei Zhang: Supervision, writing—review and editing. Qihong Deng: Writing—review and editing. Lifang Jiang: Resources, supervision, project administration. Yue Ba: Conceptualization, supervision, project administration, funding acquisition, writing—review and editing.
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Zhou, G., Yang, M., Chai, J. et al. Preconception ambient temperature and preterm birth: a time-series study in rural Henan, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 9407–9416 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11457-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11457-w