Category Archives: News on Premature Birth

PROTECT Researchers Find that Chemicals Detected at Higher Levels in Non-Hispanic Black Women Impact Preterm Birth Genes

By Natalie Gold | Published: March 31, 2022

The disproportionate rate of preterm birth in non-Hispanic Black women is well-documented. The exposure to certain environmental chemicals that non-Hispanic Black women face compared to non-Hispanic White women is also well-documented. A recent publication lead by Project 2 leader Sean Harris reports on researchers’ efforts to use statistical analysis to determine which chemicals may contribute […]

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PROTECT Reports Significant Associations between Heavy Metals and Matrix Metalloproteinases

By Natalie Gold | Published: March 8, 2022

New Project 1 findings suggest that there are significant associations between certain heavy metals and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), with several associations differing by fetal sex. This research was reported in a paper by lead author Christine Kim in Environmental Research. MMPs are extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling proteinases. ECM is an essential component that gives structure […]

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PROTECT Study finds predictors of metals exposures which contribute to higher toxicity levels amongst Puerto Rican Women compared to US Population.

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: November 19, 2020

In a recent publication, PROTECT researchers found that toxic and essential metals are present at higher levels in pregnant Puerto Rican women compared to those from the general US population. Researchers identified that diet, water sources, and smoking were predictors and sources of these metals exposure. Amongst these predictors, smoking was the most significant predictor […]

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PROTECT Study finds that among metals, maternal blood lead concentrations were strongly associated with increased risk of preterm birth

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: May 11, 2020

PROTECT explores how environmental exposures during pregnancy may impact preterm birth risk, specifically studying a Puerto Rican cohort due to higher levels of preterm birth compared to the U.S. mainland. In this instance, pregnant women in this cohort had relatively low blood lead (Pb) concentrations when compared to the general US population. However, despite the […]

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PROTECT Study Finds Decrease in Phthalate Exposure Coincides with Increase in Phthalate Replacement Chemicals in PROTECT Cohort

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: May 6, 2020

Phthalates are chemicals commonly used in industrial and consumer products that act as plasticizing agents, which serve to make materials softer or more flexible. These chemicals are typically found in consumer items such as food packaging and personal care products. Some of the common phthalates found in consumer products are di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isononyl phthalate […]

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PROTECT Study finds increased levels of flame retardant and plasticizing chemicals associated with the use of personal care products among pregnant women in Puerto Rico.

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: March 20, 2020

In a recent Study published in Environmental Research Journal, PROTECT researchers detected metabolites of several organophosphate esters (OPE), a class of chemicals used in consumer products as flame retardants and plasticizers, in urine samples collected from women during pregnancy in Puerto Rico. This is concerning since some OPEs have been associated with adverse reproductive health […]

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PROTECT Study links common chemicals to preterm births in Puerto Rico

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: October 2, 2019

This publication was recently featured and honored in the NIEHS Newsletter Papers of the Month PROTECT researchers have identified an association between exposure to chemicals found in many common consumer products and a shorter duration of pregnancy, thus increasing the risk of preterm birth. More specifically, the scientists found that higher urinary concentrations of phthalate […]

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Concentrations of phenols, parabens and triclocarbans appear in higher levels among Puerto Rico cohort compared to mainland U.S.

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: June 24, 2019

Recent environmental articles have increasingly focused on the potential dangers of chemicals that seem ever present and almost unavoidable in many facets of modern life. At CRECE, PROTECT and ECHO, we study many different chemicals which are present in the environment and lifestyle products to see how they impact pregnancy outcomes and children’s development in […]

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PROTECT Study intermediate report: associations between demographic risk factors and preterm birth in the first 1000 participants

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: June 24, 2019

Since PROTECT has started studying the environmental causes of higher levels of preterm birth in Puerto Rico preterm birth rates have dropped significantly; from 18% of all births in 2011 which was considered the highest in the world, to 11% by 2017.[1] However, this rate still ranks amongst the highest rates in the world; especially […]

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PROTECT study finds that chemicals found in many household consumer products were widely associated with hormone concentrations in pregnant women

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: June 14, 2019

Since plastic became known as the “miracle material that has made modern life possible” in 1950, humanity has produced 9.2 billion tons of plastic. [1] Plastics are produced using a large variety of materials which are often harmful to the environment and have been commonly found in human tissue. [2] PROTECT studies Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals […]

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Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among pregnant women may contribute to adverse birth outcomes

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: October 30, 2018

Pregnant women and their fetuses represent susceptible populations to environmental contaminants. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among pregnant women may contribute to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth. This study assessed longitudinal urinary PAH metabolite concentrations over two time points in pregnancy cohorts in Boston (N = 200) and Puerto Rico (N = […]

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Elevated Levels of Triclocarban Associated with Soap Use in Puerto Rico

By lura | Published: October 22, 2018

Recent analysis from the CRECE Center, which draws on the PROTECT cohort to study effects of in-utero exposure on child development, reveals strong correlations between the use of specific bar soap brands and urinary triclocarban levels. Triclocarban has historically been used in antibacterial soaps, but the chemical was banned by the Food & Drug Administration […]

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Welton granted NIEHS Award to Study Impacts of Traumatic Experiences & Prolonged Recovery due to Hurricane Maria on Preterm Birth Outcomes

By Alessandra Bryant | Published: September 27, 2018

Michael Welton is Post-Doctoral Research Fellow & Teaching Associate in the College of Public Health at University of Georgia. Welton works with the Human Subjects & Sampling Core within PROTECT as well as the Human Subjects Core in CRECE, and has been working on the NIH funded ZIP Study (Zika in Infants and Pregnancy) for […]

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March of Dimes 2017 Report Card Shows National Preterm Birth Rate Worsening for Second Year in a Row

By Elle Russell | Published: November 3, 2017

On November 1st, the March of Dimes kicked off Prematurity Awareness Month by releasing their ninth annual Premature Birth Report Card for the US and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, this year’s report did not bear good news; for the second year in a row, the national premature birth rate has worsened, increasing from 9.62 percent of pregnancies in 2015 to 9.8 percent […]

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March of Dimes 2016 Report Card Shows Preterm Birth Increasing Nationally while Decreasing in Puerto Rico

By Elle Russell | Published: November 14, 2016

On November 1st, the March of Dimes kicked off Prematurity Awareness Month by releasing their eighth annual Premature Birth Report Card for the US and Puerto Rico. The report brought promising news for Puerto Rico, awarding the region a grade improvement for the first time in the report card’s history. Puerto Rico’s preterm birth rate […]

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Premature birth now #1 killer of children under 5 years old

By protect | Published: November 17, 2014

A new study the in The Lancet reports that preterm birth has surpassed infection as the #1 cause of death for children under the age of five. The study, which was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, found that complications due to preterm birth result in ~3,000 lives per day. The Guardian summarizes: […]

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PROTECT Researchers at UPR receive grant to promote flu vaccination for pregnant women in Puerto Rico

By Melanie Smith | Published: December 11, 2013

PROTECT Co-Director and Core C Leader, José F. Cordero, MD, MPH, and PROTECT Core C Study Director, Liza Anzalota, MD, MPH, have received a grant from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health to promote influenza vaccination among pregnant women in Puerto Rico during the 2013-2014 influenza […]

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December Highlight: PROTECT publishes new findings on Environmental Phthalate Exposure and Preterm Birth

By Melanie Smith | Published: November 21, 2013

This week PROTECT Project 1 leader, John D. Meeker, ScD, and trainee Kelly Ferguson, MPH, published an article in JAMA Pediatrics on the relationship between preterm birth and chemical phthalate exposure during pregnancy. The JAMA article highlights the prevalence of preterm birth as a leading cause of neonatal mortality, and the increased odds faced by women exposed […]

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U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act in Support of Preterm Birth Research

By Melanie Smith | Published: November 18, 2013

On November 14th, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the PREEMIE reauthorization act, which “reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) research and programs on preterm birth, including improving national data tracking on preterm birth, and conducting studies. The bill also reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration aimed at improving the treatment and outcome […]

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March of Dimes Releases 2013 Premature Birth Score Card

By mnobrega | Published: November 1, 2013

Today the March of Dimes released it’s 2013 Premature Birth Score Card. Puerto Rico again received an F, just one of 4 Fs in the entire U.S. Overall the U.S. received a C. See the entire score card at http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/prematurity-reportcard.aspx?src=edd_DEENEI_NOV2013_131101&FN=19591876 See the Puerto Rico score card at http://www.marchofdimes.com/glue/files/premature-birth-report-card-puerto-rico.pdf

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Air Pollution linked to High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

By mnobrega | Published: October 12, 2013

A recent study has linked air pollution to high blood pressure in pregnant women. High blood pressure is one cause of premature birth. While the work is not yet conclusive, it points to further indications of the impact of environmental health on pregnancy. Learn more at http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/11/us-air-pollution-idUSBRE99A0J020131011

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U.S. Senate passes PREEMIE reauthorization act in support of preterm birth research

By mnobrega | Published: September 30, 2013

On September 27th the U.S. Senate passed the PREEMIE reauthorization act, which “reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) research and programs on preterm birth, including improving national data tracking on preterm birth, and conducting studies. The bill also reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration aimed at improving the treatment […]

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PROTECT Research Highlighted on Puerto Rican TV News

By mnobrega | Published: April 12, 2013

PROTECT Core C researcher Braulio Jimenez was interviewed in a recent news story on the rate of preterm birth in Puerto Rico. The story, presented by WAPA-TV, discussed PROTECT’s investigations into the role of environmental contamination and preterm birth. The video (in Spanish) is available here.

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Jose Cordero quoted in Fox News Article on Preterm Birth

By mnobrega | Published: November 19, 2012

PROTECT co-director and Core C leader Jose Cordero was recently quoted in a Fox News article about the alarmingly high rate of preterm birth in Puerto Rico. Said Dr. Cordero: “Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive face an increased risk of life-long health challenges, including cerebral palsy, breathing […]

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World Prematurity Day

By mnobrega | Published: November 17, 2012

November 17th is World Prematurity Day. As Jennifer Howse, President of March of Dimes notes in a recent message to supporters: Even though its preterm birth rate has declined for the 5th year in a row, the United States still ranks 131st in the world. This trend is true in Puerto Rico as well; while […]

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PREEMIE Act Reauthorization Bill Introduced In Senate, House

By mnobrega | Published: August 1, 2011

The 2006 PREEMIE Act, abbreviated from the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early Act, developed a public-private agenda aimed at reducing preterm labor and delivery. On July 28, 2011 Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) today introduced the PREEMIE […]

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March for Babies brings PROTECT, March of Dimes, together

By mnobrega | Published: May 20, 2011

A recently published article by El Nuevo Dia (May 16, 2011 – available here) highlighted the March for Babies held in San Juan the day before. The march – in Spanish “Marcha Por Los Bebés” – was intended to raise awareness of preventing preterm birth in Puerto Rico. PROTECT co-Director and Core C leader Jose Cordero, who […]

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PROTECT researchers, work profiled in Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper

By mnobrega | Published: May 9, 2011

PROTECT Core C Researchers Dr. Jose Cordero and Dr. Hernando Mattei were profiled in an article published in the May 6, 2011 edition of El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper. The article, entitled “Ojo a peligrosa anticipación” (“Looking at dangerous prematurity”), focuses on the issue of preterm birth in Puerto Rico and the goals […]

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PROTECT featured in Engineering@Northeastern

By mnobrega | Published: November 30, 2010

Northeastern University’s Engineering@Northeastern magazine (a publication of the NU College of Engineering) highlighted PROTECT research in the 2010 issue. See page 4 of the magazine, available here, for the story.

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Preterm birth rates improve in most states

By mnobrega | Published: November 23, 2010

Eight states earned a better grade on the 2010 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card and 32 others and the District of Columbia saw their preterm birth rates improve. Overall, the United States received a “D” on the report card, when national preterm birth rates are measured against the Healthy People 2010 goals. Read […]

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Jose Cordero leads symposium on premature birth prevention strategies

By mnobrega | Published: September 10, 2010

In concert with colleagues at the March of Dimes and the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Dr. Jose Cordero (PROTECT co-Director and Research Translation Core Leader, March of Dimes Prematurity Steering Committee Chair, and Dean of the UPRMSC Graduate School of Public Health) recently held a symposium focused on premature birth prevention strategies. […]

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PROTECT profiled by Associated Press

By mnobrega | Published: May 16, 2010

Mark Melia of the Associated Press looks carefully at the background problem – the high rate of preterm birth in Puerto Rico – and what PROTECT will be studying to combat this issue…read full article.

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Chemicals May Play a Role in Pre-Term Births

By mnobrega | Published: July 10, 2009

The Association of Schools of Public Health features research findings of PROTECT investigators: (ASPH Friday Letter – July 10, 2009) – A University of Michigan School of Public Health study of expectant mothers suggests that a group of common environmental contaminants called phthalates, which are present in many industrial and consumer products including everyday personal […]

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Phthalates May Play a Role in Pre-Term Births

By mnobrega | Published: July 7, 2009

July 7, 2009

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Category Archives: News on Premature Birth

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