Pollution and Pregnancy

Guest: Emily DeFranco, DO, Physician-Researcher at the Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine  During peak haze season here in Northern Utah, something about the cold air and big mountain range traps the smog and creates dangerously high pollution levels for weeks at a time. During those periods, we’re warned that children, older adults and people with asthma should stay indoors. Perhaps pregnant women should be added to the list, too.  A study in the journal “Environmental Health” has found high levels of certain types of air pollution correspond to an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.