Association between maximum temperature and PM_2.5 with pregnancy outcomes in Lima, Peru

We have previously documented an inverse relationship between PM_2.5 in Lima, Peru, and reproductive outcomes. Here, we investigate the effect of temperature on birth weight, birth weight-Z-score adjusted for gestational age, low birth weight, and preterm birth. We also explore interactions between PM_2.5 and temperature.

We studied 123,034 singleton births in three public hospitals of Lima with temperature and PM_2.5 during gestation between 2012 and 2016. We used linear, logistic, and Cox regression to estimate associations between temperature during gestation and birth outcomes and explored possible modification of the temperature effect by PM_2.5.

Exposure to maximum temperature in the last trimester was inversely associated with both birth weight [β: -23.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -28.0, -19.5] and z-score weight-for-gestational-age (β: -0.024; 95% CI: -0.029, -0.020) with an interquartile range of 5.32 °C. There was also an increased risk of preterm birth with higher temperature (interquartile range) in the first trimester (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.001, 1.070). The effect of temperature on birthweight was primarily seen at higher PM_2.5 levels. There were no statistically significant associations between temperature exposure with low birth weight.

Exposition to maximum temperature was associated with lower birth weight and z-score weight-for-gestational-age and higher risk of preterm birth, in accordance with much of the literature. The effects on birth weight were seen only in the third trimester.