A collaborative research study led by Stephanie Eick, PhD, MPH of Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and Rachel Morello-Frosch PhD, MPH of the University of California, Berkeley found an association between elevated levels of oxidative stress and higher risk of preterm birth. This study examined data from 1,916 racially, ethnically, and demographically diverse pregnant participants from four ECHO cohorts across the United States and Puerto Rico. This research titled, “A pooled analysis of four birth cohorts examining urinary oxidative stress biomarkers and preterm birth,” is published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Oxidative stress is a process that can trigger cell damage and may contribute to poor prenatal health outcomes. “This is the largest study to date looking at the relationship between oxidative stress and preterm birth,” said Dr. Eick. “Previous research on this topic has involved fairly small, primarily White populations, which is not reflective of diversity in the US.”
The researchers measured oxidative stress biomarkers in urine samples from participants collected during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Then, they calculated the association between the oxidative stress biomarkers concentration for each participant and all preterm births (delivery prior to 37 weeks).
Results from this study showed a strong association between higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and preterm birth. This association was particularly true for participants who experienced preterm birth that was sudden and unexpected or occurred prior to 34 weeks.
Future research will investigate how the chemicals involved in oxidative stress may lead to preterm birth and identify what risk factors lead to higher oxidative stress during pregnancy.