Grant Number:
Principal Investigator:
Watkins, Deborah J
Institution:
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Most Recent Award Year:
2018
Lifestage of Participants:
Exposure:
Prenatal; Adulthood (mother)
Assessment:
Infant (0-1 year, specifically at birth); Adulthood (mother, specifically following after birth)
Exposures:
Air Pollutants:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Metals:
Not specified
Non-Chemical Stress:
Extreme weather/climate change; Hurricane; Psychosocial stress
Personal Care/Consumer Products:
Parabens; Phenols; Phthalates
Health Outcomes:
Birth Outcomes:
Birthweight; Gestational age; Head circumference
Mental Health Outcomes:
Maternal depression
Neurological/Cognitive Outcomes:
Not specified
Biological Sample:
Blood (mother); Urine (mother)
Other Participant Data:
Pre- and post-hurricane questionnaire on perceived stress, depression, social support; Post-hurricane questionnaire on hurricane-related experiences; Reported property damage, injury, illness, and lack of resources (electricity, food, clean water, fuel), generator use, drinking water sources, and packaged food consumption
Abstract:
Hurricane Maria was the most powerful hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years, and recovery and clean-up has been painfully slow. Two months after Maria, 60% of the island is still without electricity and many Puerto Ricans are still struggling to find adequate housing, clean water, and food. Prior to Maria, environmental contamination in Puerto Rico was already extensive, and flooding and damage caused by Maria likely exacerbated these conditions. This has potentially resulted in considerable exposure to a range of hazardous substances for many Puerto Ricans. The extended recovery period has also likely increased exposures to environmental contaminants due to extensive use of gas powered generators, use of water from uncertain sources for drinking, cooking, and washing, and increased consumption of canned and packaged foods, all with potential impacts on health. Experiencing a traumatic natural disaster can itself also have long-term physical and psychological health effects. Exposure to such events during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other adverse birth outcomes. However, no previous studies have evaluated measures of both chemical exposure and stress both before and after the hurricane in the same population, so identification of specific, modifiable, hurricane-related risk factors for adverse birth outcomes has not been possible. The proposed research will leverage an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort, the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT), in which 93 participants were pregnant when Hurricane Maria made landfall. The goals of this research are to 1) assess hurricane-related exposure to a range of contaminants (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, phenols, parabens), and psychological stress, among PROTECT participants who were pregnant when Hurricane Maria struck the island, 2) identify sources of hurricane-related exposures and stress, and 3) evaluate the effects of these exposures on birth outcomes, such as preterm birth, gestational age, and birth weight. Existing biological samples and prenatal data, including urinary biomarkers of exposure and questionnaires on maternal stress and depression, will be utilized in the proposed work. In addition, post-hurricane urine samples, stress questionnaires, and an additional questionnaire on hurricane-related experiences will be collected. Prior to Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico?s preterm birth rate was already among the highest within the U.S. and the world, so identifying individuals in need of help, as well as modifiable risk factors within this highly vulnerable population in a timely manner is critical.
ExpandCollapse Abstract
Related NIEHS-Funded Study Populations
Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) Cohort
Principal Investigator:
Alshawabkeh, Akram; Cordero, Jose F; Meeker, John
| Study Population Page Study Population c239
Institution:
Northeastern University, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, University of Georgia, University of Michigan
Location:
Northern Puerto Rico
Number of Participants::
~1,600 pregnant women with a target of 1,200 mother-child pair
Brief Description::
This is a prospective birth cohort study exploring environmental, clinical, demographic, behavioral, and other factors that contribute to risk of preterm birth in Puerto Rico. Around 1,600 pregnant women were enrolled in the study with the goal of 1,200 mother-child pairs. A separate follow on study, The Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico (CRECE), will assess additional exposures and health outcomes for a subset of the children through age four.
Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico (CRECE)
Principal Investigator:
Alshawabkeh, Akram ; Cordero, Jose F; Meeker, John
| Study Population Page Study Population c283
Institution:
Northeastern University, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, University of Georgia, University of Michigan
Location:
Puerto Rico
Number of Participants::
510 children
Brief Description::
This is cohort study examining how specific environmental exposures and other factors, such as psychosocial stress, affect the health and development of infants and children living in Puerto Rico. Researchers are conducting a follow-up study of 510 children from birth through age four. This cohort is a subset of 1,200 mother-child pairs initially recruited and followed through the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) birth cohort.