Air Pollution and Pregnancy
This study, called "Air Pollution and Pregnancy," is investigating the link between dirty air and babies being born too soon, also known as premature birth. A team of UK scientists, specialists in women's and children's health, and computer experts are working together. They will use hospital records from University College London Hospital (UCLH) for 18,000 pregnant women, combined with information about air pollution levels in their local area. Their goal is to build a clever computer model, using advanced technology, to help predict which mothers might be at higher risk of premature birth. The model will also try to discover at what stage of pregnancy air pollution might be most harmful. The ultimate aim is to better understand and potentially prevent premature births.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is all about understanding why some babies are born too early, which is called premature birth. Being born prematurely can cause health problems for babies, like learning difficulties or breathing issues. In the UK, about 60,000 babies are born early each year, and in many cases, we don't know why. There's a growing belief that being exposed to air pollution during pregnancy might play a role in this.
Researchers are using a lot of information from hospital records at University College London Hospital, including details about pregnant women and their health. They'll also add data about air pollution in the areas where these women live. All this information will be fed into a special computer program, often called an 'AI model'. This model will learn from the data to try and work out which women might be more likely to have a premature baby. It will also look at when during pregnancy air pollution seems to have the most impact.
The main goals are to connect detailed health information with air pollution data, create a clever computer model that can predict a baby's birth date, and pinpoint the times during pregnancy when air pollution has the biggest effect. By doing this, the researchers hope to gain a much better understanding of premature birth and potentially improve how we predict and prevent it in the future.
Key takeaways
- This study investigates air pollution's link to premature birth.
- It uses anonymous hospital records from UCLH and air quality data.
- A smart computer model will predict premature birth risk and identify critical times.
- The research aims to improve understanding and prediction of premature births.
- No direct patient involvement; only existing, anonymised data is used.
Who may be eligible?
This study will use health records from women who gave birth at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) starting from 2019. This means if you delivered a baby at UCLH any time from 2019 onwards, your anonymous health information might be included.
To make sure the study includes many different people, there isn't an age limit for the mothers whose records are used, as long as they were 18 or older when they gave birth. The researchers also want to make sure they include information from women of different ethnic backgrounds and those who might be facing difficult social situations.
However, some records can't be used. For example, if a woman's care was moved to a different hospital before she gave birth, or if there's not enough clear information in her medical history. Records with missing address details or unclear due dates will also not be included. Also, records from mothers who were under 18 years old will be excluded.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- I gave birth at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
- My delivery was from 2019 onwards.
- I was 18 years old or older at the time of delivery.
- My antenatal care did not transfer to another hospital for delivery.
- My medical records have full historical and address information.
What does participation involve?
This study does not involve you directly or ask you to do anything. It is a research project that uses existing, anonymised medical records from University College London Hospital (UCLH) and combines them with publicly available air pollution data. Your name and other identifying details would be removed from your records before they are used, so your personal information would remain private. You would not need to attend any appointments, take any medication, or have any follow-up visits. There is no direct participation from patients in this specific study.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- Tina ChowdhuryVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
- Anna DavidVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is 'premature birth'?
Premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 full weeks of pregnancy. It can be a serious health issue for newborns.
How will my medical information be used?
Your medical information will be used from UCLH hospital records, but all your personal details that could identify you will be removed beforehand. The study only uses anonymous data.
What is a 'deep learning model'?
It's a type of very smart computer program, like an advanced AI. It can learn from lots of data to find patterns and make predictions, in this case, about premature birth.
Will this study tell me if I'm at risk of premature birth?
No, this study is about research using past data. It won't give individual predictions or advice. The aim is to create tools for future medical use.
Why is UCLH involved?
UCLH has very detailed electronic health records which are really useful for this type of research, allowing scientists to link different pieces of health information.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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