Preterm Births Linked to Air Pollution.

• Position: NEWBORNS

Air pollution likely contributes to almost 6,000,000 premature births and almost 3,000,000 underweight babies annually, according to a University of California, San Francisco, and University of Washington global burden of disease study and metaanalysis that quantifies the effects of indoor and outdoor pollution around the world.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide, affecting more than 15,000,000 infants every year. Children with low birthweight or who are bom premature have higher rates of major illness throughout their lives.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 90% of the world's population lives with polluted outdoor air, and half the global population also is exposed to indoor air pollution from burning coal, dung, and wood inside the home.

The study concluded that the global incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight could be reduced by almost 78% if air pollution were minimized in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where indoor pollution is common and...