A new study has associated premature birth with pregnant women living near main roads and the hidden factor is the air pollution.

The study that was led by Takashi Yorifuji of the Okayama Graduate School of Medicine on 14,226 non-multiple live births between 1997 and 2008 in Shizuoka brought out that a pregnant woman, who dwells within
650ft of a main road has 50% more tendency to deliver a baby before 37 weeks. Those women had a 60% more risk of bearing a child before 32 weeks and this risk was 80% for giving birth to a baby 28 weeks prior.

As per the World Health Organisation, babies born before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy are considered as premature. With the early birth of a child, he/she has an increased risk of dying early.

The researchers found that 15% of women living within 650ft of a major road delivered baby before 37 weeks; the figure was 10% in those dwelling at a remote place. They associated so with air pollution. Women living near main roads were also more likely to have high blood pressure and early rupture of the membranes around the foetus that lead to premature births.

"In addition, we found a higher risk in housewives than outside workers, and housewives would probably spend more time at home during their pregnancy, and reflect more accurate exposure", said Dr. Yorifuji.